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: Drop in sessions to celebrate the festive season
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
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This week is Trustees’ Week, and we’re delighted to celebrate one of our incredible trustees, Patricia Cantley 🤩
Whether she’s sharing her expertise at board meetings or championing our work in the wider community, Patricia is a truly valued supporter of NHS Lothian Charity.
Alongside her role as a trustee, Patricia consistently goes above and beyond. She volunteers within our Tonic Arts programme, bringing comfort and joy to patients by playing the harp on wards across NHS Lothian. She also gives her time to attend openings, donor events, fundraisers, and regularly helps spread the word about our work through social media.
This year, Patricia took her commitment even further by embracing her role as a Charity Champion and completing the Supernova 5K. Inspired by the care she received at the Western General Hospital, she raised over £4,000 to support our charity!!
And thanks to Patricia’s love of travel, our charity logo has even made appearances further afield, with photographs taken in locations including Ireland, Switzerland and Iceland.
Patricia, thank you for your dedication, generosity, and enthusiasm. Your support makes a real difference, and we are incredibly grateful to have you as both a trustee and a #CharityChampion.💜
Did you know Charity places are the only way into the full marathon at next year`s Edinburgh Marathon Festival? 🏃♀️
Don`t miss out on your place and get yours today on our website!
We have had some amazing feedback from parents and patients said about our recent commission created by @LaurenMorsley in the Crichton Ward at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People!
It is always lovely to hear the impact of our work, stay tuned to hear what staff had to say about it!
With many thanks to our partners: @ECHCharity and generous donors including Coldstones Charitable Trust, who supported the project.
The team of Ward 1 at East Lothian Community Hospital welcomed Viridor staff Christine, Nicola, and Pauline to the ward yesterday. They celebrated a generous We Share Grant of £2,000 to benefit patients and families in memory of Pauline’s beloved husband, Stevie. Pauline and Christine applied to Viridor for the grant to say thank you for the care and comfort Stevie received from all the staff on the ward.
Thank you to them for thinking of us and putting us forward for this grant! 💜
Meet Arran, our 2027 London Marathon runner 🏃♂️
Arran knows first-hand the difference outstanding NHS care can make. At the end of 2025, his mum was diagnosed with cancer, prompting a huge amount of worry and uncertainty on family life. During one of the most challenging periods they had ever faced, Edinburgh`s Western General Hospital provided not only expert treatment, but also compassion, reassurance and hope.
Nine months later, thanks to her incredible strength and the care she received through NHS Lothian, Arran`s mum is in remission. It is a journey that has left him deeply grateful and determined to give something back.
His inspiration doesn`t stop there. In early 2023, Arran`s partner, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at just 23 years old. Despite the challenges of cancer treatment while starting a new career in London, Catherine faced every obstacle with remarkable resilience and positivity. Now in remission, she completed the 2026 London Marathon in support of Lymphoma Action, proving that determination can achieve extraordinary things.
He`s running to celebrate their strength and thank the incredible NHS staff who supported them every step of the way.
The #TonicArts Collection team are pleased to share details of their recent artwork install at the Sycamore Centre. Through a collaborative working process with the staff, three prints by artist @sylviaquinnhome were selected for their Staff Break Room. The artist’s use of woodcut printing allows details of the botanical subjects to shine through, highlighted with the use of contrasting pops of colours.
Framing by @detailframing
@nhs_lothian #adoseofcreativty #artandhealth #NHSCharity
What started as a walk in memory of Babs became something extraordinary. 💜
Together, Team Babs raised more than £34,000 for our Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh (FACE) fund, who helps support patients and families facing cancer across NHS Lothian.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to the love Babs inspired in those around her and the determination of everyone who walked, donated and shared her story. Thank you for helping create a legacy that will bring comfort, support and hope to so many people.
Read the full story on our website 🔗
#TeamBabs @Kiltwalk #FACE