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
Art prizes bring new works into NHS Lothian settings, …
Patients, visitors and staff across NHS Lothian will benefit from new additions to the Tonic Arts collection, following the award of three purchase prizes at major Scottish exhibitions in 2026.
Edinburgh Artist Reunited with Long-Lost Painting at t…
What began as an ordinary hospital visit turned into an extraordinary moment of rediscovery for one Edinburgh artist and a heartwarming reminder of the stories hanging on the walls of our hospitals.
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.
Art for Health: RSA200 Exhibition Arrives at the Royal…
This spring, Tonic Arts is hosting RSA200 Art for Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh – part of a Scotland-wide touring programme celebrating the Royal Scottish Academy’s 200th anniversary.
What’s on
Tonic Arts Network: Bringing the Outdoors in
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.
BOLD by Caroline Sikkenk
A photography exhibition highlighting the experiences of women living with breast cancer including patients from the Western General Hospital. We […]
Pressure, Light, Fire by Daniele Sambo
NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts are excited to bring Daniele Sambo’s beautiful, personal and thought-provoking artwork to the Hospital Exhibitions […]
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 […]
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
This week we are celebrating Climate Week.🌱 Our Green Health team provides activities and enhancements throughout NHS Lothian sites to help with the rising climate changes as well as getting staff and patients outside.
Our staff growing space at the Western General Hospital has been able to do both! Allowing staff a space to grow fruit, veg and plants whilst helping absorb pollutants and release oxygen around the hospital area.
Find out more about the Wildlife at the Western on our Green Health Website.
Introducing our amazing #charitychampion Pete West! Who has taken part in Sir Chris Hoy`s 2026 `Tour de 4` Cycle!
He’ll cycle 56 miles, with over 3500 feet of climbing, to raise money for Skerryvore’s ‘preferred’ charity, NHS Lothian Charity. His family have raised around £300,000 for the charity over the last 20 years, and Scottish band `Skerryvore` have been part of that process from day 1, (Peter was their Business Manager until he retired last year on his 70th birthday.) He’s sent us this update:
My cycle is to boost 2 NHS Lothian Charity funds that our family have been supporting for the last 20 years: Margaret Lee Breast Cancer Oncology Fund at Edinburgh`s Western General Hospital, and the St John`s Hospital Breast Endowment Fund in Livingston. These funds support research, training for staff, and complimentary therapies for breast cancer patients.
I am always astonished by the willingness of people to help, and humbled by people’s generosity. A big thank you to everyone who has already added to my sponsorship total, with additional particular thanks to:
- Skerryvore for their ongoing support
- Skerryvore Fans for their encouragement and donations
- Brian at The Cycle Jersey for our bespoke cycle jerseys
- Tu and everyone at NHS Lothian Charity for their encouragement
- Marion for putting up with my crabbitness when I couldn’t cycle
Join our Tonic Arts Network next Wednesday 7th October to explore the benefits of bringing nature-based art, craft and design to healthcare settings, looking at best practice examples from NHS Lothian and beyond.
Sign up to our Network via the Tonic Arts Website!
We’re looking forward to our Charity Showcase tonight, bringing together some of our amazing supporters, trustees, partners, senior health leaders, and elected representatives from across Lothian. Throughout the evening, we’ll be sharing more about the work we do as a Charity and celebrating the impact we’ve achieved together. Keep up with the event as it happens on our Instagram and Facebook stories! #Showcase2026
A massive thank you to the Rotary Club of North Berwick for their kind donation of a bench that has been placed in Amanda`s Garden at the Western General Hospital.
They gave this donation directly to our Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh fund and it will be used by many staff, patients and visitors to take some time to themselves and reflect in one of our green areas.
Our fabulous Engagement Team were shortlisted for 2 awards at the Scottish Fundraising Awards last night! 🤩 They were up for ‘Fundraising Team of the Year 2026’ alongside teams from @aberlourcc, @changemh_ and @sbhscotland. As well as ‘Best Individual Giving Campaign 2026’ alongside @chsscotland, @erskineveteranscharity, @scaa_charity and @sightscotland.
A massive well done to the winners, @aberlourcc & @scaa_charity! 👏 We had a great night celebrating with some of Scotland’s amazing charities.
LOOK! 👀 who’s been appearing across the walls of Crichton Ward and Theatres at #RHCYP! Artist @laurenmorsley has been translating patient ideas into almost 600 square metres of designs with our #TonicArts team, collaborating with our partners @echcharity and generous donors, including Coldstones Charitable Trust.
🎄 Festive Funding for Patients Spending Christmas in Hospital 🎄
Applications now open!
Could your team help make the festive season a little brighter for patients spending time in hospital?
Funding can support a range of festive activities and initiatives that help create moments of comfort and enjoyment for patients spending time in hospital over the festive period.
✅ Applications must be submitted through our online application form
✅ Take a few minutes to check the guidance and eligibility criteria before submitting your application.
📅 Applications close on 19 October at 9am
Find out more and apply 👉 https://ow.ly/XHOk50ZPKwR