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
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.
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 […]
What’s on
My Journey by the Renal Young Adult Service
My Journey is a moving and inspiring art exhibition created by young adults living with kidney conditions, marking a milestone […]
Things Beyond Measure by Lindsey Hamilton
We are delighted to present Feeling My Way & Things Beyond Measure, a new exhibition by Lindsey Hamilton, a graduate […]
Edinburgh: Four Seasons in One Day – Outdoor Photography Exhibition by Dr Pete Wands
“Edinburgh: Four Seasons in One Day” is a captivating outdoor photography exhibition by Dr Pete Wands, GP at Morningside Medical Practice.
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 […]
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
We believe no one should face grief alone. That’s why we’ve funded the creation of two new Bereavement Support Groups in Musselburgh and Tranent - bringing compassionate, local support to families and carers navigating loss.
These groups, run by NHS Lothian Bereavement Service and Carers of East Lothian, offer a safe, welcoming space to share, listen, and heal.
Since launching, 45 people have been supported - many of whom previously had no accessible local options.
💬 “This group helped stop the pain eating away at me… it’s a vital lifeline.”
💬 “After every meeting I feel a weight lift off my shoulders.”
This initiative is part of our commitment to improving wellbeing and reducing the long-term health impacts of bereavement. By investing in community-based care, we’re helping people cope, connect, and find hope.
📄 Read the full impact report on our website!
We believe no one should face grief alone. That’s why we’ve funded the creation of two new Bereavement Support Groups in Musselburgh and Tranent - bringing compassionate, local support to families and carers navigating loss.
These groups, run by NHS Lothian Bereavement Service and Carers of East Lothian, offer a safe, welcoming space to share, listen, and heal.
Since launching, 45 people have been supported - many of whom previously had no accessible local options.
💬 “This group helped stop the pain eating away at me… it’s a vital lifeline.”
💬 “After every meeting I feel a weight lift off my shoulders.”
This initiative is part of our commitment to improving wellbeing and reducing the long-term health impacts of bereavement. By investing in community-based care, we’re helping people cope, connect, and find hope.
📄 Read the full impact report on our website!
It’s time to get your elf on! 🧝♀️
National ‘Elf Service Day is back and we need YOU to bring the festive magic!
Dress up, bake up, and cheer up while raising funds for NHS Lothian patients and staff this Christmas.
📅 Thursday 11th December
🎁 Sign up for your free fundraising pack on our website!
It’s time to get your elf on! 🧝♀️
National ‘Elf Service Day is back and we need YOU to bring the festive magic!
Dress up, bake up, and cheer up while raising funds for NHS Lothian patients and staff this Christmas.
📅 Thursday 11th December
🎁 Sign up for your free fundraising pack on our website!
We are delighted to share the hard work of Karen Capewell who ran the Kirkcaldy Marathon and raised £575 for Ward 3 at the Western General Hospital, who has been taking care of her brother Andy! 🏃👏
Thank you Karen for your efforts! We are so proud of you!!
Do you want to take on your own challenge? Let us cheer you on, send us a message or fill out the form on our site!
We are delighted to share the hard work of Karen Capewell who ran the Kirkcaldy Marathon and raised £575 for Ward 3 at the Western General Hospital, who has been taking care of her brother Andy! 🏃👏
Thank you Karen for your efforts! We are so proud of you!!
Do you want to take on your own challenge? Let us cheer you on, send us a message or fill out the form on our site!
We are delighted to present Feeling My Way & Things Beyond Measure, a new exhibition by Lindsey Hamilton, a graduate in Sculpture from Gray’s School of Art and a long-standing member of our installation team.
You can view her artwork at the Tonic Gallery One, Western General Hospital until February 2026!
#TonicArts
We are delighted to present Feeling My Way & Things Beyond Measure, a new exhibition by Lindsey Hamilton, a graduate in Sculpture from Gray’s School of Art and a long-standing member of our installation team.
You can view her artwork at the Tonic Gallery One, Western General Hospital until February 2026!
#TonicArts
To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we invited donors, supporters, colleagues, and patient advocates to an evening that celebrated generosity and the collective progress driven by awareness, funding, and collaboration.
You can find out more about the evening and watch the presentations on our website!
To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we invited donors, supporters, colleagues, and patient advocates to an evening that celebrated generosity and the collective progress driven by awareness, funding, and collaboration.
You can find out more about the evening and watch the presentations on our website!
We recently had George Gordon visit our new staff wellbeing courtyard at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
It was great to hear his view from the importance of green spaces and places for staff to relax and take a break.
Find out more about the new courtyard on our Green Health Microsite!
We recently had George Gordon visit our new staff wellbeing courtyard at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
It was great to hear his view from the importance of green spaces and places for staff to relax and take a break.
Find out more about the new courtyard on our Green Health Microsite!
🎨 Grateful: Art That Speaks from the Heart 💙
Installed at the entrance to the transplant ward, Grateful is a powerful new artwork capturing the voices of patients and staff whose lives have been touched by transplant care.
Created by artist Rebecca Milling and commissioned by our Tonic Arts team, the piece glows with heartfelt reflections: blue for staff, yellow for patients symbolising the deep gratitude and connection within the unit.
Inspired by Senior Charge Nurse Sam Slight and the stories she gathered, Grateful is a tribute to the life-changing work of the transplant team and the generosity of organ donors and their families.
#GratefulArt #TonicArts #HealingThroughArt #TransplantStories
🎨 Grateful: Art That Speaks from the Heart 💙
Installed at the entrance to the transplant ward, Grateful is a powerful new artwork capturing the voices of patients and staff whose lives have been touched by transplant care.
Created by artist Rebecca Milling and commissioned by our Tonic Arts team, the piece glows with heartfelt reflections: blue for staff, yellow for patients symbolising the deep gratitude and connection within the unit.
Inspired by Senior Charge Nurse Sam Slight and the stories she gathered, Grateful is a tribute to the life-changing work of the transplant team and the generosity of organ donors and their families.
#GratefulArt #TonicArts #HealingThroughArt #TransplantStories
We recently have had some amazing work done by TCV - The Conservation Volunteers in the Royal Edinburgh`s staff garden! Thank you to everyone who helped, we can`t wait to share the finished project, which will be a haven for staff to take a break outside in their own space!
We recently have had some amazing work done by TCV - The Conservation Volunteers in the Royal Edinburgh`s staff garden! Thank you to everyone who helped, we can`t wait to share the finished project, which will be a haven for staff to take a break outside in their own space!