May 2017 - Ongoing
I lead a weekly art class for a small group of patients in Neuro Rehabilitation at Charing Cross Hospital. The sessions are designed to support hand mobility, provide opportunities for conversation and intellectual stimulation, and offer patients time away from their bedside to relax and focus on something creative.
Using fine art techniques and tactile materials, I introduce participants to a wide range of artistic processes, often drawing inspiration from the work of established artists and different art movements. Painting is consistently a favourite activity; the gentle movement of a brush across the page offers a calming, sensory experience that many patients find deeply relaxing.
As patients on the ward are often in hospital for several months, I am able to build relationships with them over time and tailor sessions to their individual interests and experiences. For example, knowing that one participant had been a florist, I brought fresh flowers into the studio for the group to paint, creating a meaningful connection to her previous life and expertise.
These workshops are funded by Imperial Health Charity, an independent charity that supports projects, research and initiatives that improve patient care across the five hospitals of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
Feedback:
‘Thanks again Rhian, for another really super workshop. I am so impressed with the level of engagement you are able to get from people with quite complex needs.’ - Sarah Daniels, Neuro Rehab Ward
