Visual has started delivering for the Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust to develop an Arts & Health programme that benefits both patients and staff.
The new Birmingham Women's Hospital was officially opened at a special ceremony by the Duchess of Gloucester in 1996. Since the inception of the Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust in 1994 the hospital has continued to set standards for the treatment of women and their babies.
This first phase of Visual at Birmingham Women’s Hospital includes an archive of their existing art collection. Working in partnership with the University of Birmingham, this activity involves art historians from the Barber Institute working on site at the hospital to explore and discover artworks and generate themes for new work. We also have an Arts & Health Consultant meeting individuals within the hospital to explore what they would like to see from an art programme and how the arts can best benefit the hospital. In addition, we are planning opportunities for artists to exhibit and create new work for the hospital and an arts event for patents, staff and key stakeholders.
Nicola Shipley, Visual's project Manager comments "The arts have an important role to play in health and healing, in people’s quality of life and their wellbeing. The impact of the arts on health is well researched and understood. We believe that this programme of activity at Birmingham Women's Hospital will enrich and lift the spirits of patients and visitors and improve the quality of the health care environment. This will aid recovery, facilitate and enable patients and staff to contribute to the health care environment and reflect issues such as community, diversity, identity and leadership."
If you would like to know more about this partnership with Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust please email us at visual@AandB.org.uk or call 0121 248 1200.