Art in Healthcare and the Room for Art project

We wanted to shine a spotlight on a service that celebrates and supports creativity, so we we reached out to Ursula from Art in Healthcare to hear about the work they do.

Art in Healthcare is a charity working across Scotland to improve health and wellbeing for individuals and communities, by providing opportunities to experience and engage with high quality visual art, artists and creativity.

We run a programme of projects and visual art workshops that engage people in activities which benefit their health and wellbeing.

Examples of creative engagement with communities include our social prescribing project Room for Art and Caring Spaces, our ongoing partnership with Vocal supporting unpaid carers.

We believe that anyone at any age can benefit from making art, regardless of previous experience. Our workshops go beyond standard art classes to promote wellbeing, community, creative thinking, and artistic skills. Safe spaces are created for people to connect, share experiences, and express their creativity.

Room for Art is a social prescribing project established by us in 2016 to provide a programme of visual art workshops within community spaces throughout Edinburgh. Pop up art studios are created where individuals can explore creativity with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing. Professional artists guide participants in playful exploration of different techniques and materials, the workshops are person-centred and tailored to the interests of each group. Room for Art is a safe, supported space where people can take time for themselves, connect with others, learn new skills and have fun!

I am passionate about the Room for Art project because I enjoy connecting with people and enthusing about the benefits of creative engagement for mental and physical health and wellbeing.

To look after my mental health, I make art as often as I can and spend time outside in nature. My favourite activity is making art outside, because that increases the sense of being connected to nature and inspires creative ideas.

Find out more about Art in Health Care and the support they offer.

Do you live and/or work in Edinburgh and want to share your own experiences of mental health and wellbeing and the different ways keep you well? If you would like us to share your story, please email ithrive@health-in-mind.org.uk.