Local school, Clifton High School, will this year be sponsoring our Creative Companions project which trains volunteers to deliver creative art activities such as painting and drawing to the hospital’s older patients at their bedside.
Creative Companions is part of the Fresh Arts programme here at North Bristol NHS Trust. The interaction with volunteers that it provides patients helps reduce their boredom and isolation, and consequently improves their mental and physical wellbeing.
Dr Alison Neill, Head of Clifton High School said: “Clifton High is delighted to sponsor and support this progressive initiative as it truly resonates with the ethos and values of our school community. We recognise the huge therapeutic benefits that the Creative Companions project will provide for patients when in hospital, which is such an important time to enhance and promote both physical and mental wellbeing.”
Elizabeth Bond, Head of Fundraising at Southmead Hospital Charity, said: “We’re so pleased to be working with Clifton High and hope that learning about our Creative Companions project will really open the pupils’ eyes to the benefits of creative activities in a hospital setting.
“We are very proud of our Fresh Arts programme, and know from significant research that through the arts hospitals can create a better healing environment, helping patients to get better quicker. We’re very grateful to Clifton High for their support which will help ensure the continuation of this valuable project.”
