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
Today is World Mental Health Day, our Charity helps create calming spaces and events for staff to allow them to take a moment.
Since April, our Creatively Minded programme has been providing a range of creative engagement activities that highlight works in the Tonic Art collection.
The project, which is specifically designed for NHS staff identified with high levels of stress and anxiety, provides a flexible model across different sites. Activities include art walks, drop-ins, and workshops that guide discussion about works in the collection with time for personal reflections and space to create art with each other.
Drawing on a wealth of knowledge that proves engagement with art reduces stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation - Creatively Minded introduces tools to relax, find joy and connection.
As NHS staff face increasing challenges, finding these moments of comfort and respite are more important now than ever. Our aim is to support the wellbeing of healthcare staff with positive impact for the wider healthcare environment.
Find out more about our Creatively Minded Programme 👉 https://ow.ly/elHB50ZWlqG
With thanks to funding from @museums.galleries.scotland.
From rockets and distant planets to jungles, forests and underwater worlds. 🚀🌳
Almost 600 square metres of colourful artwork has transformed clinical spaces at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, helping distract, reassure and relax children and young people on their journey to theatre.
Artist, Lauren Morsley said, “I am so excited to start working on this project. Not only is the scale of work exciting, but it`s also an honour to be chosen to create designs that will directly impact the children`s experience here at the hospital. Making the journey through the hospital a little easier for some patients is extremely important to me.”
With many thanks to our partners: Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (@ECHCharity) and generous donors including Coldstones Charitable Trust
We are out on sites today promoting bumper Christmas prize of our staff lottery! This Christmas we are giving away prizes of £3000 and £2000 as well as our normal prizes. Sign up by the 1st of November to be in for a chance of winning!
Did you miss our Annual Showcase? Or want to revisit it? Hear directly from our Director Jane Ferguson, as she reflects on the evening and the people, partnerships and generosity that have shaped NHS Lothian Charity.
Read her blog on our website!
#Showcase2026
The #TonicArts Collection team are pleased to share photos of their recent install at the Western General Hospital’s Sanctuary. This series of oil paintings by artist Ritchie Collins was commissioned by the Department of Spiritual Care in 2025. Collins` art is influenced by the Scottish coast and wild countryside, with Celtic art and Scottish folklore being a constant source of inspiration. The paintings depict a panoramic view from Cramond Island to the Bass Rock; each painted at a different time of day to reflect the different stages of a person`s life.
Artwork by @ritchiecollinsart
#NHSCharity #artandhealth #adoseofcreativity @nhs_lothian
Do you want to see Santa in Lapland?! 🎅
Take part in our Lapland raffle to experience a magical day in Finnish Lapland with your family and meet the big man himself, Santa Claus, in his homeland.
1 raffle entry is £10 each, and you can enter as many times as you wish.*
Money raised will support our Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh (FACE) Fund. FACE is an NHS Lothian Charity Cancer Fund, providing the little things which can make a real difference for patients undergoing treatment for cancer.
The draw closes on the 28th of October, 2026 and will be drawn on the 2nd of November, 2026 at 1:30pm.
Find out more and get your raffle ticket on our website or contact us for more info!
With thanks to @canterbury_travel
*T&Cs apply.
Sharing some of our #CharityChampions !!!
Richard Muir and his sons Murray and Ramsay raised £10,496.29 for NHS Lothian Charity’s Edinburgh Cancer Centre Research Fund after completing a HYROX fitness challenge, a 100km cycling challenge and a 110km ultra marathon through the Scottish Highlands.
They decided to fundraise after witnessing the dedication and compassion of the teams who supported their mum and wife Mary through treatment. Wanting to give something back, they took on the challenges to support research that could lead to improved treatments and brighter futures for other patients and families facing cancer.
Well done to them all!!! 🤩
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.