Fresh Arts on Referral, designed to support Southmead Hospital patients with a range of chronic conditions, was the first arts on prescription programme to be piloted in a hospital context.

Eight six-week arts programmes for Cancer, Chronic Pain and Dementia patients took place at Southmead Hospital Bristol between March 2018 and July 2018. It was delivered by Fresh Arts, the arts programme of North Bristol NHS Trust, with artists Ali Brown, Rachel Davis and writer Claire Williamson.

“Coming here was a catalyst for my creativity; a ray of light.”

The evaluation, conducted by me, sought to understand the impact of the project on participants, how the social prescribing model, commonly used in community and primary care settings, would translate to an acute healthcare environment and complement existing services delivered by the hospital.

“Other groups (self/peer support groups) have focused too much on difficulties which is draining. Here the focus is the art.”

The evaluation concluded that Fresh Arts on Referral provided an important and valued source of support for the 65 patients who took part. It has impacted significantly on patients’ ability to better self-manage chronic conditions, and enabled healthcare staff to empathise with and better understand the daily impact of a condition.

“Elsewhere people do things for me - here I was able to stand and do things.”

Fresh Arts on Referral was developed and managed by Fresh Arts in collaboration with arts and healthcare consultants Willis Newson. It was funded by North Bristol NHS Trust and Southmead Hospital Charity, Macmillan Cancer Support and Arts Council England. 

“This is how we’re rebuilding ourselves.”