Art for Health, making meaningful change! - ROC

Art for Health – Making meaningful change!

Date: 2nd September 2026

Living with chronic pain can be isolating, affecting not only physical health but also confidence, wellbeing and everyday quality of life. At The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH), the Art for Health programme, funded by ROC, is helping patients discover new ways to manage these challenges through creativity and connection.

Funded by ROC, and led by Consultant in Pain Medicine Dr Liza Tharakan, Art for Health offers creative workshops as part of a wider pain management pathway. Supported by a dedicated Arts Coordinator and delivered by professional artists, the programme provides a welcoming space where patients can try new activities, meet others with shared experiences and focus on their strengths rather than their pain.

Over the past year, 23 patients took part in 28 group sessions, across a range of creative activities including pottery, painting, music, singing and arts and crafts. Most participants completed a series of workshops, allowing them to build their skills, confidence and connections over time.

Patients completed recognised wellbeing questionnaires before and after taking part, with results showing clear improvements across a range of measures.

Mental wellbeing scores improved for 80% of participants, while 77% reported greater confidence in their ability to manage their pain.

Participants also experienced improved health-related quality of life, and an impressive 94% said they felt more creative and confident in their creative abilities after attending the workshops.

Many described the workshops as helping them relax, improve their mood and take their minds away from pain. Others spoke about the value of meeting people who understood what they were going through, reducing feelings of loneliness and creating a sense of community and support.

Participants consistently rated the workshops highly, with most scores ranging between eight and ten out of ten.

Participants described Art for Health as “transformative”, “a great prescription” and “priceless for knowing you are not alone”.

The programme costing approximately £18,000 per year to deliver, supports around 30 patients annually through a programme of workshops and creative engagement. This equates to around £25 per participant per session, delivering measurable improvements in wellbeing, self-management and quality of life while providing a valuable non-medical complement to traditional pain management approaches.

As demand for holistic approaches to healthcare continues to grow, Arts for Health is demonstrating the powerful difference that creativity can make

Continued support will ensure that even more patients can benefit from this proven and inspiring service, using the power of creativity to help them live better, healthier and more connected lives.

Ruth Hughes, Fundraising Manager stated “Art for Health is a fantastic example of how holistic care can support medical interventions for those living with chronic pain. What’s particularly encouraging is the evidence behind the programme, with participants reporting improvements in wellbeing, confidence and their ability to manage pain. We are very proud to have supported and to continue to support this incredible initiative”

You can support art for health by donating and/or fundraising directly to this project.

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A huge thank you goes out to the Anton Jurgens Charitble Trust for its generous support towards the Art for Health programme for 2026/27. This funding will help ensure that more patients living with chronic pain can benefit from the proven impact of creative activities, peer support and wellbeing-focused interventions. We are incredibly grateful for the Trust’s commitment to improving the lives of patients across our community.