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 […]
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
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 […]
What’s on
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.
Network Event: Creatively Minded
Our next online Tonic Arts network meeting is to let you know about our Creatively Minded project.
Tonic Arts and Green Health Joint Network Event: Delivering Together
Join the conversation! The Green Health and Tonic Arts Network Gathering 2026 is a platform for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and […]
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
"I felt alive again,” Alan said. “I’d lost so much strength, but walking the Camino reminded me I could rebuild it.”
For most of his life, Alan enjoyed good health. But everything changed the day he mentioned a small lump on his neck to friends during a drive to St Andrews. Their insistence that he get it checked led to a fast‑tracked referral, biopsies, and finally, a diagnosis he never expected: throat cancer.
Although he was told the cancer was treatable, the months that followed were gruelling. Radiotherapy meant wearing a tight mask, terrifying for someone claustrophobic. Chemotherapy drained his energy and caused dramatic weight and muscle loss. Even simple walks became difficult. But throughout every stage, Alan says the NHS Lothian staff were brilliant, calm, compassionate, and determined to guide him through.
He found grounding in small routines: breathing techniques shared by his daughter’s Alexander Technique teacher, short daily walks when possible, and the support of friends who had been through similar treatment. And through it all, he held onto one goal; returning to something he loved deeply: walking the Camino de Santiago.
One day, travelling to the Western General for treatment, Alan noticed an advert for Walk 100 Miles in June. This, he realised, was how he could reconnect with his love for walking and reclaim a part of himself whilst also giving something back to the people who had cared for him.
Not long after completing treatment, Alan returned to the Camino. Before cancer, he could walk 30–40km a day. This time, 12–20km was a challenge – but every mile carried more meaning. Crossing that 100‑mile mark was monumental.
Alan walked to honour the NHS staff who helped care for him, raising £615 to strengthen support for others facing their own treatment journeys. His 100 miles were a celebration of recovery, resilience, and gratitude. Today, he continues to receive all‑clear results, continues to walk, and continues to be grateful for the amazing NHS teams who had supported him through the hardest chapter of his life.
You too can Walk 100 Miles like Alan, sign up today on our website.
This is your LAST CHANCE to join our Green Health and Tonic Arts joint network event! Taking place on Wednesday 13th May.
It is a platform for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and advancing positive health initiatives using creativity and nature.
Don`t miss the conversation: https://ow.ly/Af3m50YV7y7
Angela was only 51 years old when she walked through the doors of the Edinburgh Cancer Centre in August 2022 and heard the words no one wants to hear: ‘you have breast cancer’.
“My initial feelings were shock and anger; I just kept thinking ‘how dare it?’ said the mum-of-two, Angela. “My feelings then turned to grief for a life I felt had been whipped away from me. I didn’t realise how lucky I was to only have the usual stresses of everyday life before my diagnosis.”
Just one week later, Angela received more devastating news when further tests revealed her cancer had spread to two lymph nodes.
Angela said: “My surgeon told me that I was going to have a rocky ride, but I would get through it; I trusted him 100% so that was really reassuring.
“The doctors and nurses showed true compassion; they see patients all the time, but I never felt like just another person, and I knew I wasn’t facing this alone.
“The hardest part of treatment for me was losing myself - I lost my hair, my peace, and any control over my own life. But, I also discovered a strength I never knew I had.
“After seven months of treatment, I received the all-clear in 2023 and celebrated by renewing my marriage vows to my husband, Paul. It gave me something to focus on and look forward to, and for the first time in a long time, I felt beautiful.”
Angela was invited to an event hosted by us, last year to discover more about the incredible work of the Breast Cancer Institute and the advancements being made every day in research and patient care. She said: “Hearing about the research to help people like me brought me to tears.
“Cancer doesn’t care who you are or what’s going on in your life, but these people are saving lives and it really put things into perspective for me.”
“It’s thanks to everyone at the Breast Unit that I get to have future birthdays with my family.”
You can help patients like Angela, today and in the future. Please donate to NHS Lothian Charity so more patients can celebrate future birthdays with their families.
You can donate via our website.
The growing season is getting off to a great start as we start using the staff growing space at the Western General Hospital.
None of this would have been possible without the time and efforts of the Estates Grounds and Gardens Team, who helped deliver every aspect of the project including identifying a suitable site, coordinating deliveries and building and filling the raised beds. 6 members of staff from radiology and physiotherapy came along to a seed sowing workshop ‘after work’ from 5-6pm on Monday, where together they sowed leek, rocket and sunflower seeds.
We’re looking forward to our first growing season and to bringing more greenery into this space that was previously dominated by gravel and concrete.🌱
Want to make a difference?
When you donate to our charity, your support goes far and wide to support NHS Lothian staff, patients and families.
Every day, our kind donors and fundraisers are helping to change the lives of NHS Lothian patients, improve the wellbeing of our dedicated NHS staff and create nicer environments for those attending hospital.
Hear from some of the wonderful NHS Lothian staff to discover just some of the ways a donation from you could help by watching our short video.
Please donate today by clicking here 👉 https://ow.ly/RCOz50WObZE
#NHSCharity #Donatenow #ThankYouNHS
Our Nature Ranger Lou`s Chilli Challenge is well underway at the Bioquarter! With staff from all over the site taking part, the next stage is to pot their sprouts and watch them grow, stay tuned to see who is the first to grow a chilli!
After months of training our TCS London Marathon runners are ready to go! Join us in wishing them luck for the long run ahead! We know the three of them are going to SMASH it! Keep an eye out in case you see them on TV 😉
The sun is shining for our #CharityChampions who are taking on the Glasgow Kiltwalk this weekend! We are wishing them the best of luck and can`t wait to see the photos!
If you missed out on Glasgow why not join us at another location? https://nhslothiancharity.org/event/kiltwalk/