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
New Staff Wellbeing Space Officially Opens at St John�…
We were delighted to official open the new dedicated staff wellbeing space at St John’s, designed to provide a calm and restorative environment away from the clinical setting.
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 […]
Art Exhibition Shines Light on Scotland’s First Rena…
A moving and inspiring art exhibition created by young adults living with kidney conditions, is now open at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh marking a milestone moment for NHS Lothian’s pioneering Renal Young Adult Service.
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
What’s on
Healing Arts Scotland | National Conference
As part of a week long celebration of Arts in Health, join the Tonic Arts team and peers for a […]
Healing Arts Scotland | Edinburgh & Lothians Day
Join the Tonic Arts team and peers for a day of sharing practice, celebrating achievement and connecting with others working across arts and health in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
BOLD by Caroline Sikkenk
A photography exhibition highlighting the experiences of women living with breast cancer including patients from the Western General Hospital. We […]
Art for Health – Scottish Healthcare Collective
A Scottish NHS Arts Partners Touring Exhibition: two touring exhibitions of visual artworks by RSA Academicians and award winners.
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 #TonicArts team and the CAMHS teams at Penicuik and Musselburgh have been collaborating with designer @smithgordondesign to improve the waiting spaces and treatment rooms across the departments, with family and youth-friendly furniture and designs. Here`s a sneak peek, in advance of the finished spaces!
We are delighted to be a part of the Healing Arts Scotland National Conference and leading on their Edinburgh and Lothians day.
As part of a week long celebration of Arts in Health, join our Tonic Arts team and peers for a day of sharing practice, celebrating achievement and connecting with others working across arts and health in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
The event will bring together artists, practitioners and partners working in arts and health to reflect on learning, share inspiring work and make connections.
For more information or to sign up visit our Tonic Arts Website!
Huge congratulations and well done to Eric Burnett who completed the MDS Legendary, a 7 day race across the Sahara. It was the 40th anniversary of the event, so instead of 250km, participants covered 270km. It was a gruelling challenge with extreme weather conditions, and blisters to make your eyes water – but Eric did it! Eric raised over £11,000 for 4 charities donating £2,775 to NHS Lothian Charity. A big thank you to him for committing to the months of training and pushing through the event to finish it – we are so proud of you Eric!
#CharityChampion
💙 Caring for Carers 💙
We are proud to share a small thank you with our NHS Lothian colleagues through our Caring for Carers initiative.
Hundreds of packs are being delivered to wards and departments across our hospital sites, including Nursem Promise Packs with hand cream to help soothe hardworking hands. These are accompanied by additional offers from NHS Lothian Charity, including staff discounts, opportunities to take part in events and activities, and Proud to Care selfie posters to celebrate our NHS staff as the NHS’ birthday approaches. We’d love to hear why you are #ProudtoCare.
This is simply a gesture of appreciation for everything our staff do every day to care for others 💙
As the number of packs is limited, not every ward or department can receive one directly. Packs have been distributed as fairly as possible, with some also available in Wellbeing Wings over the coming weeks so more staff can benefit 👀
Thank you to @nursemskincare for their generous donation.
Celebrating #VolunteersWeek 🎊
Our leading volunteer programme ensures that everyone who passes through our hospital has an extra helping hand; from providing directions to patients and visitors, to offering a listening ear, and assisting NHS staff with daily tasks, our volunteers play an essential role in supporting patients, their loved ones, and staff.
You’ll find our friendly volunteers throughout the Edinburgh Cancer Centre, including Rosemary and Ellen who have volunteered every week since 2020. They said:
"We chat to the patients and get to know them; we like to remember their tea and biscuit order. We’re glad we can help make it all a bit easier for them.”
The former IT Business Analysist and Council Service Manager, ages 70 and 71, volunteer to do something worthwhile in their retirement. They said: “We get so much out of volunteering. We get to meet so many new people and it’s given us something really meaningful to do.”
Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers across NHS Lothian, you help make the hospital a less daunting place for many and provide help throughout! 👏💜
A calm, welcoming space designed with staff wellbeing in mind
Now that the final finishing touches have been put in place, we were delighted to officially open the staff wellbeing space at St John’s Hospital - complete with tea and scones to mark the occasion.
The refurbished area includes both a wellbeing space and a quiet room, giving staff a place to step away from the pressures of the day and take some well-deserved time out.
Working together with our Tonic Arts team, designer Stuart @SmithGordonDesign engaged with staff on site to create a thoughtfully designed space that feels distinctly different from the clinical environment - restorative, comfortable and inviting.
With new furniture, bespoke artwork and carefully considered design throughout, the space is already providing a valuable place for the incredible staff at St John’s to rest and recharge.
Because looking after our people matters.
Have you used the space? We’d love to hear what you think!
Our nature ranger Lou and volunteer teams at the Bioquarter planted outside the entrance to the Department of Clinical Neuroscience/ Royal Hospital for Children and Young People a few months ago and it is great to see their hard work is paying off!
They planted drought resistant, nectar rich plants and so far it`s been well received and they are now blossoming in this lovely weather!
The #TonicArts Collection team are excited to share photos of their recent install at Duncan St. Dental. Through a collaborative process with staff, a selection of artworks was chosen to creatively enhance the spaces used by staff and patients. Recent purchases from @lottiefarmer7 now add a splash of colour and joy to the first-floor corridors, and a series of existing collection works have been thoughtfully curated along the ground floor. Fresh new frames with a hint of colour from @detailframing add an extra dimension of detail which beautifully compliments the works on display.
Additional artworks by: #BarbaraRobertson #FrancesRichardson and @susanmitchellillustration
#adoseofcreativity #artsandhealth #NHSCharity