Wellbeing Walks & Workshops - 'Arts in Hospital'
A seasonal programme of outdoor creative activities for hospital staff, inspired by nature and the hospital’s exhibition programme.
Overview
The ‘Arts in Hospital’ project at Dorset County Hospital was awarded a grant in July 2024 to support and develop activities that increase health and wellbeing by establishing and strengthening connections to the Dorset landscape and nature.
- DNL grant awarded: £600
- Other sources of funding: mainly volunteer & In-kind
- % of total funding awarded: 66%
The Dorset National Landscape Grant supported the development of a creative health programme for hospital staff, aiming to enhance wellbeing through seasonal outdoor art activities.
The funding enabled the delivery of workshops and walks that connected participants with nature and the local landscape, using artistic engagement to promote mindfulness and reflection.
Aims
The project aimed to support creative health initiatives at Dorset County Hospital by delivering nature-based art activities for staff and patients.
It sought to foster wellbeing through seasonal workshops, with resulting artworks displayed as a banner in the Stroke Ward and prints in the Central Courtyard.
The project aimed to highlight the role of creative health in rehabilitation and how it can inspire both patients and staff.
As part of the programme, local artist and musician Damian Clarke -himself a former Stroke Ward patient, was commissioned to lead a series of creative workshops with stroke patients at Dorset County Hospital.
Drawing on his personal recovery journey, Damian guided participants in developing individual sketchbooks and using local landmarks as artistic inspiration.
Damian’s workshop series consisted of two parts. In the first session, patients were given a blank hardback book and guided through mark-making techniques using collage, paints, and pens.
These sketchbooks became portraits of self-discovery, documenting each participant’s recovery journey. In the second session, Damian explored the use of local landmarks as sources of inspiration for rehabilitation and self-reflection.
The resulting artworks were transformed into a landscape-format banner for display in the Stroke Ward, with additional prints exhibited in the Central Courtyard. The banner was designed to be explored like a map of the local area, connecting personal recovery with place.
These workshops inspired both patients and staff. Some staff members reflected on the broader potential of creative health, not just as a rehabilitative tool, but as a meaningful and transformative practice in healthcare.
In Addition
Further workshops were scheduled to expand the programme’s reach and creative impact:
- August 2024: Drawing workshop with Frances Hatch at Maiden Castle
- October/November 2024: Printmaking workshop with Jeremy Speck
- March/April 2025: Willow drawing and weaving workshop with Caroline Sharp
These sessions continue to build on the success of the programme, offering diverse artistic experiences rooted in the Dorset landscape
In total 70 participants took part in the activities and workshops. Including practitioners, patients and the local community.
Five hours of in -kind support.
Extended benefits
An extended aim of the project was to contribute evidence that could support future NHS funding for embedding creative health and wellbeing into the structure of care.
By documenting the outcomes of these creative working groups, the initiative sought to demonstrate the value of arts-based approaches in healthcare. This evidence will also strengthen future funding applications, helping to advocate for arts, culture, and wellbeing programmes across Dorset and the wider South West region.
What next
The project sets the stage for broader health and wellbeing initiatives that benefit both the community and employees who support the local economy. It also generates revenue for local artists, reinforcing cultural creativity across Dorset.
By linking creative health to the ‘Prevention at Scale’ priorities of the Dorset Sustainability and Transformation Plan, the programme contributes to long-term public health goals.
Additionally, it aligns with Dorset’s Cultural Strategy, strengthening the case for continued investment in arts, culture, and wellbeing.
Suggestions to others thinking of doing a similar project:
- Collaboration is key! Partners, community volunteers and performers and professionals working closely together made the delivery of this project a success, enabling us to go forward with future plans.
- Juggling tight funding for an ambitious project can be tricky at times, so keep applying for new funds. We received additional funding in the final phase which was a blessing!
“I learned so much about this traditional way of life that is now almost extinct and tell friends and family about what I have learned at every opportunity. Dancing in the landscape is pure magic! I found this to be a very exciting and satisfying project to be part of – having a chance for older dancers to perform is a rare opportunity. Thank you so much!”
Participant
“The freedom we all felt working on site outdoors, in the elements, connected us to the bigger story of the beach and was a felt experience that has lasting resonance.”
Sarah Acton, writer & project lead
Funding options within Dorset National Landscape
local funds
Dorset Community Tree Fund
Grant funding
