Arts at UHNM - A Growing Programme Across Our Hospitals

UHNM Charity has been developing its arts programme since February last year. The aim is to bring simple, creative activity onto wards in ways that lift mood and give patients something different to focus on during their stay. So far this has included murals, the celebration of the time capsule, South Asian History Month and joint work with partners at both Royal Stoke and County Hospital.

In September, FRONTLINEdance returned for a residency that runs to March 2026. Their sessions take performance and guided movement to neurology, stroke, general medicine and older peoples’ wards, the Cancer Centre and the Children’s Hospital. Staff say the sessions bring calm and give patients something positive to take part in.

Since June this year, dialysis patients at Royal Stoke and County have had a monthly programme of arts on the unit. Performers have included musicians from City of Stoke Orchestra, Kitsch n Sync with comedy dance inspired by film eras, live music from Ash Wall, dance and storytelling from Akademi, poetry with Navkiran Kaur Mann and Dream Deliveries from Hocus Pocus Theatre.

Dani Burn, Matron for Renal, said the team worked with Gemma Thomas, Project Manager for Arts, to use UHNM Charity funds to bring fun, distraction and connection to patients during long treatment sessions. Dani said, “On behalf of the entire Renal Team and our patients on the dialysis unit, I want to extend our deepest and most sincere thanks to the UHNM Charity for your generous support of the Performing Arts Project within the Renal dialysis unit. Your commitment to enhancing the lives of those undergoing dialysis has brought light, creativity, and joy into a space that can often feel clinical and isolating.

Through music, movement, and artistic expression, our patients have found new ways to connect, heal, and rediscover their sense of self beyond their treatment. The smiles, laughter, and emotional moments we’ve witnessed are a testament to the power of the arts, and to the Charity for believing in their impact. This project has not only uplifted our patients but has also inspired our staff. Thank you for helping us bring it to life.”

Patient and staff feedback has been warm.
• “It was a lovely afternoon. Staff and patients felt the music and performances were uplifting and lively.” Helen Barlow, Ward Manager, Renal
• “It breaks up the four hours, thank you.” Dialysis patient
• “It changed the atmosphere of the ward.” Dialysis patient
• “The dancer put a smile on my face.” Fatima, dialysis patient
• “Lovely poem about my dog Ruben.” Dialysis patient

Next month, the programme grows again as the new Potter in Residence begins working with patients one to one and on small projects across the wards.