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
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 […]
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.
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: Using Art and Design to Transform Healthcare Spaces
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
On #WorldNatureConservationDay, we’re celebrating the completion of NHS Lothian’s first Biodiversity Action Plan — a pioneering move for healthcare in Scotland.
Together, we’re:
🌿 Enhancing habitats
🌳 Expanding green spaces
🦋 Supporting wildlife
💚 Creating places of wellbeing for all
Let’s grow a greener NHS, one space at a time.
#GreenHealth #Biodiversity #NHSScotland #SustainableHealthcare #HealingWithNature
On #WorldNatureConservationDay, we’re celebrating the completion of NHS Lothian’s first Biodiversity Action Plan — a pioneering move for healthcare in Scotland.
Together, we’re:
🌿 Enhancing habitats
🌳 Expanding green spaces
🦋 Supporting wildlife
💚 Creating places of wellbeing for all
Let’s grow a greener NHS, one space at a time.
#GreenHealth #Biodiversity #NHSScotland #SustainableHealthcare #HealingWithNature
Introducing Chloe, one of our #CharityChampions who recently raised over £1400 for our Scoliosis Research Fund after 6 weeks of training she took completed her first 5k at @ParkrunUk! 🤩
Chloe said "Being diagnosed at 20 years old with idiopathic scoliosis myself was a shock, but with the help of amazing friends, family, Thanos and his team it has made me more resilient and determined! I want to stay active and set myself new challenges! It’s been a challenging but rewarding 6 weeks of preparation, and I’m so proud of what’s been achieved and most importantly the amount raised for such an incredible cause."
Well Done Chloe!!!👏
Thinking about taking part in an event and want to support us like Chloe? Contact us today!
#fundraising #charityevents
Introducing Chloe, one of our #CharityChampions who recently raised over £1400 for our Scoliosis Research Fund after 6 weeks of training she took completed her first 5k at @ParkrunUk! 🤩
Chloe said "Being diagnosed at 20 years old with idiopathic scoliosis myself was a shock, but with the help of amazing friends, family, Thanos and his team it has made me more resilient and determined! I want to stay active and set myself new challenges! It’s been a challenging but rewarding 6 weeks of preparation, and I’m so proud of what’s been achieved and most importantly the amount raised for such an incredible cause."
Well Done Chloe!!!👏
Thinking about taking part in an event and want to support us like Chloe? Contact us today!
#fundraising #charityevents
A massive thank you to all of our fabulous supporters who took part in the @ToughMudder! Together you raised over £4000! Well done, we are so proud of you 🤩
*Thank you to Laura and Alice for some great photos!
#CharityChampions #ToughMudder2025
A massive thank you to all of our fabulous supporters who took part in the @ToughMudder! Together you raised over £4000! Well done, we are so proud of you 🤩
*Thank you to Laura and Alice for some great photos!
#CharityChampions #ToughMudder2025
Our #TonicArts Collection Team recently installed artworks at Craiglea Ward, Royal Edinburgh Hospital. A selection of works was chosen by staff to enhance the spaces frequently used by patients. This project highlights the collaborative nature of the Tonic Arts programme and encourages the use of artwork in healthcare settings to not only enhance the physical spaces, but also to provide comfort and creativity to those who visit, work and reside there.
Featured artworks by Olive Dean (@cloudy_outloook), Olivia Irvine (@oliviairvineart), John Mackechnie (@john.mackechnie), Joan Smith (@joansmithartist), Alison McGill (@alison_mcgill)
Framing by @detailframing
#TonicArts #adoseofcreativity #artsandhealth @nhs_lothian
Our #TonicArts Collection Team recently installed artworks at Craiglea Ward, Royal Edinburgh Hospital. A selection of works was chosen by staff to enhance the spaces frequently used by patients. This project highlights the collaborative nature of the Tonic Arts programme and encourages the use of artwork in healthcare settings to not only enhance the physical spaces, but also to provide comfort and creativity to those who visit, work and reside there.
Featured artworks by Olive Dean (@cloudy_outloook), Olivia Irvine (@oliviairvineart), John Mackechnie (@john.mackechnie), Joan Smith (@joansmithartist), Alison McGill (@alison_mcgill)
Framing by @detailframing
#TonicArts #adoseofcreativity #artsandhealth @nhs_lothian
📣Calling all runners!📣
Missed out on the TCS London Marathon ballot? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
We’re thrilled to offer 2 charity places to run in support of our treasured NHS.
Applications are NOW OPEN—apply today and be a champion for healthcare heroes!
Already secured a ballot place? Join our team and run for a cause that matters.
Apply via the link in our bio!🏃♂️
#LondonMarathon #RunForCharity #NHSHeroes #TCSMarathon #CharityRunner
📣Calling all runners!📣
Missed out on the TCS London Marathon ballot? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
We’re thrilled to offer 2 charity places to run in support of our treasured NHS.
Applications are NOW OPEN—apply today and be a champion for healthcare heroes!
Already secured a ballot place? Join our team and run for a cause that matters.
Apply via the link in our bio!🏃♂️
#LondonMarathon #RunForCharity #NHSHeroes #TCSMarathon #CharityRunner
We are delighted to announce that our recent Kelpies Experience raised over £21,000! 🎉 Thank you to all who took on the challenge and donated, we hope you all enjoyed it!
#kelpies#charitychallenge#fundraiser
We are delighted to announce that our recent Kelpies Experience raised over £21,000! 🎉 Thank you to all who took on the challenge and donated, we hope you all enjoyed it!
#kelpies#charitychallenge#fundraiser
Be a #CharityChampion and join us on 14th September 2025 for the Kiltwalk Edinburgh!
Every step you take helps us support NHS Lothian staff and patients.
Together, we can go further.
Sign up via the link in our bio!
#CharityChallenge #Fundraiser #Kiltwalk
Be a #CharityChampion and join us on 14th September 2025 for the Kiltwalk Edinburgh!
Every step you take helps us support NHS Lothian staff and patients.
Together, we can go further.
Sign up via the link in our bio!
#CharityChallenge #Fundraiser #Kiltwalk
Thanks to your support, Art and Chat sessions came to life at Gilmerton Community Centre—offering a safe, creative space for people facing mental or physical health challenges.
Together, they explored art, shared stories, and found comfort in knowing they weren’t alone.
By the end, connections were made, confidence grew, and three amazing participants even showcased their work at Thrivefest! One shared:
“My mood always lifts, and even my pain feels easier to manage after each session.”
#ArtAndChat #CommunityHealing #MentalHealthMatters #CreativeWellbeing
Thanks to your support, Art and Chat sessions came to life at Gilmerton Community Centre—offering a safe, creative space for people facing mental or physical health challenges.
Together, they explored art, shared stories, and found comfort in knowing they weren’t alone.
By the end, connections were made, confidence grew, and three amazing participants even showcased their work at Thrivefest! One shared:
“My mood always lifts, and even my pain feels easier to manage after each session.”
#ArtAndChat #CommunityHealing #MentalHealthMatters #CreativeWellbeing