Publish date: 19 October 2022
We are delighted to announce the launch of the new Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) Arts Programme, which has been funded by Mid Cheshire Hospitals (MCH) Charity.
The programme has three main aims, which are to:
- Improve our hospital environments by making them warm, welcoming and engaging spaces
- Support patient recovery through a variety of projects using a range of art forms
- Support staff wellbeing by providing creative activities for them to engage with at times and places that suit them
The first major project overseen by the Arts Programme, an exhibition of staff photographs entitled Moments of Serenity, was officially opened by Trust Chairman Dennis Dunn today at Leighton Hospital. The creative project involved MCHFT colleagues working with professional photographer Andrew Billington, to capture the places and scenes in their lives that helped them to find a moment of serenity.
The photos have been framed and are on display on the lower ground corridors at Leighton Hospital. To accompany the images a series of soundscapes have been created which can be downloaded via a QR code next to the images. The images and soundscapes are also available here: https://mchcharity.org/arts-programme/
Dr Deborah Riding, MCHFT Arts Coordinator, said: "I have worked in cultural organisations for many years, bringing people together through and around the arts. I have seen how profound and significant this engagement can be for people’s mental and physical health and wellbeing, as well as their sense of community and belonging. I am excited to be developing an arts programme with the trust and creating these opportunities for staff and patients."
Emma Robertson, MCH Charity Manager, said: "As an NHS charity our purpose is to provide funds which will enhance and improve patient care and experience over and above basic NHS provision, and which will support the wellbeing of people who work in our NHS services.
Emma added: There are many well established art programmes within health settings across the country which have a fantastic impact on the people who experience them, so we knew this was something we wanted to support. We are incredibly pleased with, and very proud of, the arts programme that Deborah has been developing over the last few months and we can’t wait for more people to get involved with, and benefit from, the other projects coming up soon."
Susan Smith, Library Manager at Leighton Hospital, said: “The photography project has helped to brighten the hospital corridors with cheerful re-assuring images that give patients, staff and visitors a sense of escapism and calm. For staff it has encouraged a re-focus on something outside of work & allowed us to look at the world from differing perspectives and re-ignite interest in photography.”
If you are a member of staff who would like to help shape future projects, or an artist who is interested in supporting the programme, please contact Arts Coordinator, Dr Deborah Riding: deborah.riding@mcht.nhs.uk
