The creative wellbeing boxes are the first phase of the Creative Health for Recovery programme, a partnership between MY Hospitals Charity and Everybody Arts. Co-designed with patients and staff, the boxes are initially being rolled out on Ward 5/6, Stroke and Neurology at Dewsbury and District Hospital, and the Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre at Pinderfields Hospital.
Each ward will have access to two types of wellbeing boxes. One contains three to four accessible activities for independent enjoyment, while the second includes activities for small groups, fostering conversation, creativity, and shared experiences. Themes and activities will vary, including collage, painting, drawing, printmaking, and nature exploration.
This six-month pilot initiative aims to make creativity a more accessible and consistent part of hospital life, recognising the positive impact of self-expression and social connection on recovery.
“"We’re really delighted to be working with Everybody Arts to roll out the wellbeing boxes as the first stage of the Creative Health for Recovery programme. The boxes have been developed alongside patients and staff to provide accessible opportunities for creativity, whether independently or with others. We hope they will help make time in hospital more engaging and help support patients' wellbeing and recovery."
“"I’ve really enjoyed the activity today. I haven’t been able to walk for 5 months, so to do something like this today, to see normal people and do a normal activity has really made a difference."
Everybody Arts is an arts and creative health charity delivering artist-led wellbeing programmes across NHS and community settings, embedding creativity into recovery pathways to support patient wellbeing.
