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
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
Christmas magic is spreading across Edinburgh and the Lothians! 🎄✨ But for those in hospital, it’s a different story. Chiara, the Activities Coordinator at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital said; "I see how our amazing staff bring festive cheer to our patients, many of whom won’t go home this Christmas. Together, we transform the ward into a festive haven with decorations, baking, and singing carols. Last year, one patient experienced his first Christmas. After years of homelessness and struggles, he received his first gift a football and it lit up his world! On Christmas Day, we celebrate with games, laughs, and personalised gifts that show our patients they are cared for."
Let’s make this Christmas special for those who need it most. Be a Secret Santa and donate today to help patients feel remembered and loved this festive season! 🎅 Read Chiara`s Story and donate via the link in our bio and on our story!
Christmas magic is spreading across Edinburgh and the Lothians! 🎄✨ But for those in hospital, it’s a different story. Chiara, the Activities Coordinator at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital said; "I see how our amazing staff bring festive cheer to our patients, many of whom won’t go home this Christmas. Together, we transform the ward into a festive haven with decorations, baking, and singing carols. Last year, one patient experienced his first Christmas. After years of homelessness and struggles, he received his first gift a football and it lit up his world! On Christmas Day, we celebrate with games, laughs, and personalised gifts that show our patients they are cared for."
Let’s make this Christmas special for those who need it most. Be a Secret Santa and donate today to help patients feel remembered and loved this festive season! 🎅 Read Chiara`s Story and donate via the link in our bio and on our story!
We would like to thank all of our amazing Elves! Who dressed up and took part in the National `Elf Service Day 2025! They helped spread Christmas cheer whilst being #CharityChampions and raising money for us!
We would like to thank all of our amazing Elves! Who dressed up and took part in the National `Elf Service Day 2025! They helped spread Christmas cheer whilst being #CharityChampions and raising money for us!
We are delighted to share the fundraising efforts of Whitburn Rotary Club who have proudly raised £5,000 by taking part in the @Kiltwalk in support of three vital departments at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (ERI): Clinical Neurology (DCN), Orthopaedics, and the MS Department.
Thank you to all involved! #CharityChampions
We are delighted to share the fundraising efforts of Whitburn Rotary Club who have proudly raised £5,000 by taking part in the @Kiltwalk in support of three vital departments at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (ERI): Clinical Neurology (DCN), Orthopaedics, and the MS Department.
Thank you to all involved! #CharityChampions
Together, we can make sure that even in hospital, Christmas still feels magical.
Could you be a Secret Santa for someone spending Christmas in hospital this year? Your kind gift can bring comfort and joy. Here are just a few examples of how you can make a brighter Christmas for patients across NHS Lothian.
Donate today via the link in our story/bio
Together, we can make sure that even in hospital, Christmas still feels magical.
Could you be a Secret Santa for someone spending Christmas in hospital this year? Your kind gift can bring comfort and joy. Here are just a few examples of how you can make a brighter Christmas for patients across NHS Lothian.
Donate today via the link in our story/bio