Tonic Arts
Enhancing environments and enriching experiences.
Tonic Arts is NHS Lothian Charity’s vibrant, award-winning arts in health programme, creatively enhancing the patient, staff and visitor experience at NHS Lothian.
Working in partnership with staff and patients, we deliver a diverse arts programme of events, workshops, exhibitions and site-specific art commissions that help improve staff and patient health and wellbeing across the NHS Lothian community.
Watch our video to find out more about how we use art and creativity to enhance health and wellbeing
Latest news
NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts Welcomes Trolleydarity…
Trolleydarity’s Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller is an innovative new project by artists Shona Reppe and […]
Hivestock Festival brings music, sunshine and smiles t…
The grounds of Royal Edinburgh Hospital came alive at the end of August with music and celebration as annual outdoor festival, Hivestock, returned once again
Nicola Benedetti brings festival experience to patient…
We were delighted to welcome Nicola Benedetti, Director of the Edinburgh International Festival and world-renowned violinist, to the Royal Infirmary […]
Music jams help to improve mental health and wellbeing…
Music jams bring the healing power of live music to the Royal Edinburgh hospital during Mental Health Awareness Week.
What’s on
Out of the BluePrint
This exhibition is produced collaboratively between Out of the Blueprint and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts as part of a […]
Sea Trek Parade
This exhibition showcases the costumes, artwork and photos from the recent Sea Trek parade at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, which […]
Trolleydarity
Welcome to Trolledarity’s Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland. […]
Festive Festival Sessions
Join us to experience the Edinburgh Festival Chorus singing festive classics for NHS Lothian patients and staff. This is the […]
Spotlight on: Havens
NHS Lothian Charity’s programmes, Tonic Arts and Green Health, in partnership with Stills Gallery, are proud to present ‘Havens’ – a series of portraits and stories documenting NHS Lothian staff members’ work-life experiences.
Our Work
Tonic Commissions
Tonic Collection
Tonic Exhibitions
Tonic Participation
Wishing you a Happy New Year! May 2026 bring you everything you hope for, we look forward to continuing our good work and helping improve staff wellbeing, enhance patient care and funding research trials.
If this year you want to get involved with our charity please feel free to reach out or visit our website!
Wishing you a Happy New Year! May 2026 bring you everything you hope for, we look forward to continuing our good work and helping improve staff wellbeing, enhance patient care and funding research trials.
If this year you want to get involved with our charity please feel free to reach out or visit our website!
As we approach the end of the year we would like to thank all of our AMAZING supporters and donors! Also a special mention to all of our fabulous partners who have helped support some of the programmes within the hospitals!
We look forward to continuing our mission in 2026, together!
As we approach the end of the year we would like to thank all of our AMAZING supporters and donors! Also a special mention to all of our fabulous partners who have helped support some of the programmes within the hospitals!
We look forward to continuing our mission in 2026, together!
We are proud to bring nature & warmth to the Chalmers Centre with artist Natasha Russell. Who worked closely with staff & patients to ensure the artwork represented the ethos of inclusivity & respect that underpins the service, whilst also connecting with those visiting.
We are proud to bring nature & warmth to the Chalmers Centre with artist Natasha Russell. Who worked closely with staff & patients to ensure the artwork represented the ethos of inclusivity & respect that underpins the service, whilst also connecting with those visiting.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! We hope your day is filled with joy and cheer, thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year and festive season.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! We hope your day is filled with joy and cheer, thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year and festive season.
Hospital staff have been busy wrapping presents so patients wake up to a special gift tomorrow morning. Party hats and festive snacks are at the ready and preparations have started for Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. Thanks to the support of our Secret Santa`s, it is going to be a special Christmas in our hospitals this year.
The team at the Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Unit at the Western General Hospital will continue to support and care for their patients this festive period.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Secret Santa Appeal, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas 🎅💜
Hospital staff have been busy wrapping presents so patients wake up to a special gift tomorrow morning. Party hats and festive snacks are at the ready and preparations have started for Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. Thanks to the support of our Secret Santa`s, it is going to be a special Christmas in our hospitals this year.
The team at the Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Unit at the Western General Hospital will continue to support and care for their patients this festive period.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Secret Santa Appeal, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas 🎅💜
Our team are taking a well earned break before returning in the new year. If you need anything please contact us via email and we will reply once back.
Thank you to all of our supporters, we cannot wait to come back in the new year ready to fundraise and improve staff wellbeing & enhance patient care! 💜
Our team are taking a well earned break before returning in the new year. If you need anything please contact us via email and we will reply once back.
Thank you to all of our supporters, we cannot wait to come back in the new year ready to fundraise and improve staff wellbeing & enhance patient care! 💜
We were absolutely delighted at the Western General last week to be joined by 25 students from the University of Edinburgh`s "Dirty Weekenders" conservation volunteering society. Together they planted a whopping 1,700 bulbs that will provide vital food sources for hungry spring pollinators and add a splash of colour around the site. They also started work on a "dead hedge" (photographed) opposite car park 7 - this is a structure made entirely from fallen wood and provides excellent habitat for Black birds, Robins, Wren and Dunnocks to nest and forage within.
We were absolutely delighted at the Western General last week to be joined by 25 students from the University of Edinburgh`s "Dirty Weekenders" conservation volunteering society. Together they planted a whopping 1,700 bulbs that will provide vital food sources for hungry spring pollinators and add a splash of colour around the site. They also started work on a "dead hedge" (photographed) opposite car park 7 - this is a structure made entirely from fallen wood and provides excellent habitat for Black birds, Robins, Wren and Dunnocks to nest and forage within.
We’re proud to have enhanced six patient cubicles through thoughtful redecoration and the addition of calming vinyl artworks on walls and windows.
These rooms, often where patients spend their most challenging moments, including end-of-life care, withdrawal, or recovery – were previously small, bare spaces with views of grey concrete.
By introducing gentle, uplifting colours and designs, we aim to create an environment that feels more comforting and dignified for patients and their families during critical times.
Every detail is chosen with care to ensure sensitivity to the wide range of experiences patients may face. Because even in the hardest moments, surroundings matter.
With credits to the designer: @Bespokeatelier
#TonicArts
We’re proud to have enhanced six patient cubicles through thoughtful redecoration and the addition of calming vinyl artworks on walls and windows.
These rooms, often where patients spend their most challenging moments, including end-of-life care, withdrawal, or recovery – were previously small, bare spaces with views of grey concrete.
By introducing gentle, uplifting colours and designs, we aim to create an environment that feels more comforting and dignified for patients and their families during critical times.
Every detail is chosen with care to ensure sensitivity to the wide range of experiences patients may face. Because even in the hardest moments, surroundings matter.
With credits to the designer: @Bespokeatelier
#TonicArts