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
Healing Through Dance: Gentle Movement Classes Boost W…
In a heartwarming collaboration between Dance Base and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts, patients at East Lothian Community Hospital are […]
Encore! NHS Festival Sessions Return for 2025 Bringing…
Our 2025 NHS Festival Sessions will once again bring the magic of world-class musical performances directly to patients, families, staff, and volunteers across NHS Lothian hospitals.
Creatively Minded and Visual Arts Project at Royal Edi…
This prestigious Design in Mental Health Award recognises the significant contribution of art to enhancing the hospital environment and promoting wellbeing.
NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts Purchase Prize Winner …
We are delighted to announce the winner of this year’s Tonic Arts Purchase Prize, awarded at the prestigious Royal Scottish […]
What’s on
Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh: An Art Exhibition by Julia Murden
Explore Julia Murden’s Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh exhibition at The Western General Hospital, featuring art inspired by mindful walking […]
Positive Health: Green Health and Tonic Arts Network Gathering 2025
Our 2025 Network Gathering is a platform for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and advancing positive health initiatives using creativity and nature.
NHS Festival Sessions
We’re thrilled to be continuing our exciting partnership with Edinburgh International Festival, bringing world class artists to perform for patients and staff across NHS Lothian.
Tonic Arts Network Event
Join us for our next online network event to discover more about our Havens participatory project, other staff wellbeing projects and how to develop them.
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
Our Scottish Opera & NHS Lothian Chorus kicked off with a fantastic first rehearsal this week filled with joy, laughter, and the power of song! New and returning members connected beautifully, with one participant sharing that it reminded them that they needed to do something for themselves, and that self-care through music resonated deeply.
Missed the first night? No worries at all! The chorus doors are still open. Sign up today by visiting: https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/so-nhs-lothian-chorus/
Come find your voice with us! 🎤
#TonicArts #ScottishOpera #OperaChorus #NHSLothian #SelfCareThroughMusic #adoseofcreativity
@scottishopera @nhs_lothian
Our Scottish Opera & NHS Lothian Chorus kicked off with a fantastic first rehearsal this week filled with joy, laughter, and the power of song! New and returning members connected beautifully, with one participant sharing that it reminded them that they needed to do something for themselves, and that self-care through music resonated deeply.
Missed the first night? No worries at all! The chorus doors are still open. Sign up today by visiting: https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/so-nhs-lothian-chorus/
Come find your voice with us! 🎤
#TonicArts #ScottishOpera #OperaChorus #NHSLothian #SelfCareThroughMusic #adoseofcreativity
@scottishopera @nhs_lothian
We had a great time previewing some of the artwork from the amazing Phoebe Leach, that will be showcased at one of our Tonic Galleries later this year! These pieces were created by Phoebe as part of her residency within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Thank you to Consultant Neurosurgeon Mark Hughes for allowing Phoebe this opportunity to attend theatre and capture behind the doors.
If you can`t wait until October to see these, head down to Inspace, 1 Crichton Street, Edinburgh EH8 9AB where they`ll exhibited until the 27th of April.
#TonicArts #Neuroscience #Exhibition
We had a great time previewing some of the artwork from the amazing Phoebe Leach, that will be showcased at one of our Tonic Galleries later this year! These pieces were created by Phoebe as part of her residency within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Thank you to Consultant Neurosurgeon Mark Hughes for allowing Phoebe this opportunity to attend theatre and capture behind the doors.
If you can`t wait until October to see these, head down to Inspace, 1 Crichton Street, Edinburgh EH8 9AB where they`ll exhibited until the 27th of April.
#TonicArts #Neuroscience #Exhibition
This June, take on the Walk 100 Miles in June challenge and support NHS Lothian Charity. Whether you`re walking solo, with friends, or even your furry companion, every step counts towards enhancing patient care and supporting our amazing NHS Lothian staff. 💙
✅ Walk at your own pace, in your own time
✅ Receive a FREE t-shirt and fundraising pack
✅ Your support funds projects that improve patient care, staff wellbeing, and more
Ready to make a difference? Sign up today and start your journey! 👟
🔗 Find the link in our bio to sign up
#Walk100Miles #FundraisingChallenge #WalkForACause #ThankYouNHS
This June, take on the Walk 100 Miles in June challenge and support NHS Lothian Charity. Whether you`re walking solo, with friends, or even your furry companion, every step counts towards enhancing patient care and supporting our amazing NHS Lothian staff. 💙
✅ Walk at your own pace, in your own time
✅ Receive a FREE t-shirt and fundraising pack
✅ Your support funds projects that improve patient care, staff wellbeing, and more
Ready to make a difference? Sign up today and start your journey! 👟
🔗 Find the link in our bio to sign up
#Walk100Miles #FundraisingChallenge #WalkForACause #ThankYouNHS
Don`t delay! ⏰If you`re thinking of signing up to join our @nhs_lothian and @scottishopera Community Chorus then now`s the time! Rehearsals start on 22nd April - and we still need some lower voices! Sing opera, pop, folk & more. Fun, friendly, and no experience needed! Join us on Tuesdays at 7pm at the St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church, 14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2PW. Sign up today! https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/so-nhs-lothian-chorus/
Don`t delay! ⏰If you`re thinking of signing up to join our @nhs_lothian and @scottishopera Community Chorus then now`s the time! Rehearsals start on 22nd April - and we still need some lower voices! Sing opera, pop, folk & more. Fun, friendly, and no experience needed! Join us on Tuesdays at 7pm at the St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church, 14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2PW. Sign up today! https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/so-nhs-lothian-chorus/
🌿 Discover the birds at Astley Ainslie! 🌿 Join our drop-in bird walk on 22nd April. Pop along any time between 12:15 and 2pm. Learn to identify local species by sight and sound. We`ve had recent sightings of woodpeckers, buzzards, nuthatches and more! Binoculars and ID resources will be provided.
Meet Aisling, our Nature Ranger, at the pet cemetery/St Roque lawn, Astley Ainslie. All staff and students welcome. Come explore with us!
#AstleyAinslie #BirdWatching #NatureWalk #LocalBirds #BirdIdentification #BirdWalk #LothianGreenHealth
🌿 Discover the birds at Astley Ainslie! 🌿 Join our drop-in bird walk on 22nd April. Pop along any time between 12:15 and 2pm. Learn to identify local species by sight and sound. We`ve had recent sightings of woodpeckers, buzzards, nuthatches and more! Binoculars and ID resources will be provided.
Meet Aisling, our Nature Ranger, at the pet cemetery/St Roque lawn, Astley Ainslie. All staff and students welcome. Come explore with us!
#AstleyAinslie #BirdWatching #NatureWalk #LocalBirds #BirdIdentification #BirdWalk #LothianGreenHealth
Our #TonicArts Collection team recently reinstalled a series of photographic works at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience (DCN). The collection works were originally on display at the DCN’s former site of Western General Hospital and have since been stored and returned to the new site at Little France.
Created by Paul Armitage, a former MRI Physicist at the University of Edinburgh’s Brain Research Centre, the landscapes now adorn the waiting area walls and provide a sense of tranquillity and calmness to the patients who utilise the space.
@nhs_lothian #artsandhealth #adoseofcreativity #dcn #paularmitage #photography @wghconnect
Our #TonicArts Collection team recently reinstalled a series of photographic works at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience (DCN). The collection works were originally on display at the DCN’s former site of Western General Hospital and have since been stored and returned to the new site at Little France.
Created by Paul Armitage, a former MRI Physicist at the University of Edinburgh’s Brain Research Centre, the landscapes now adorn the waiting area walls and provide a sense of tranquillity and calmness to the patients who utilise the space.
@nhs_lothian #artsandhealth #adoseofcreativity #dcn #paularmitage #photography @wghconnect
Sometimes, the best way to tackle a challenge is with friends! Karen, Gordon, Claire, and Euan did just that and took on the Hairy Haggis Relay at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival! 🏃♀️🏃♂️ Karen says, "Running as a team made us more accountable, and the camaraderie was amazing."
It`s a team effort, a fun experience, and a chance to make a real difference. ✨
Gather your crew and sign up today! Link in bio.
#HairyHaggisRelay #EdinburghMarathon #TeamChallenge #RunTogether #EMF2025
Sometimes, the best way to tackle a challenge is with friends! Karen, Gordon, Claire, and Euan did just that and took on the Hairy Haggis Relay at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival! 🏃♀️🏃♂️ Karen says, "Running as a team made us more accountable, and the camaraderie was amazing."
It`s a team effort, a fun experience, and a chance to make a real difference. ✨
Gather your crew and sign up today! Link in bio.
#HairyHaggisRelay #EdinburghMarathon #TeamChallenge #RunTogether #EMF2025
Thank you to Museums Galleries Scotland, with support from the Baring Foundation, for funding to take forward our "Tonic for the Soul" creative engagement project. The project aims to support the mental wellbeing of NHS Lothian staff by harnessing the power of our diverse art collection. Working with NHS Lothian’s Staff Psychological Support Services, Occupational Health Service, and Work Well Programme, "Tonic for the Soul" will provide immediate support through art-based activities such as art tours, artist sessions, and creative responses to develop habits of creative mindfulness and long-term resources to benefit staff for years to come. We can`t wait to get started.💜
#TonicArts #adoseofcreativity @nhs_lothian @museums.galleries.scotland
📸: @croandkow
Thank you to Museums Galleries Scotland, with support from the Baring Foundation, for funding to take forward our "Tonic for the Soul" creative engagement project. The project aims to support the mental wellbeing of NHS Lothian staff by harnessing the power of our diverse art collection. Working with NHS Lothian’s Staff Psychological Support Services, Occupational Health Service, and Work Well Programme, "Tonic for the Soul" will provide immediate support through art-based activities such as art tours, artist sessions, and creative responses to develop habits of creative mindfulness and long-term resources to benefit staff for years to come. We can`t wait to get started.💜
#TonicArts #adoseofcreativity @nhs_lothian @museums.galleries.scotland
📸: @croandkow