rb&hArts

About rb&hArts

rb&hArts runs an innovative arts programme at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals. The service is charitably funded and delivered as part of patient services in the rehabilitation and therapies directorate. 

It is designed to improve the clinical environment, improve patient experience, and enhance the wellbeing of patients, visitors, staff and the local communities surrounding each hospital. 

The department manages a permanent collection of 1,200 artworks, delivers bespoke visual arts commissions, and runs an innovative participatory arts programme, comprising music on the wards and workshops. We engage over 5,000 people each year, often participating in the arts for the first time.

Join our Facebook group to enjoy live sessions with musicians, join a Singing for Breathing class, and much more. 

You can also visit our Vocal Beats YouTube channel, which has a host of online tutorials designed by our youth ambassadors to help young people learn and develop breathing techniques through singing and beatboxing. 

If you have a suggestion, idea, or want to host a workshop, please get in touch via contact details below.

Help the arts

Make a donation
Our programme relies on charitable trusts and donations to help keep it going. We thank every one of you for helping us bring the arts to the hospital communities. 

Volunteer with us
We have some new and exciting volunteering opportunities for those who are looking to work with our Arts team and to learn some new and crafty skills.  

Contact rb&hArts

You can follow rb&hArts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Mailchimp or Telegram.

You can also contact the Arts team by calling 020 7352 8121 ext 84087 or emailing arts@rbht.nhs.uk


Wellbeing

Across our programme, we have found ways to use art to support and promote wellbeing for our patients, staff and wider community. Our creative programme can:

  • Reduce isolation and loneliness.
  • Increase opportunities for skills development, boosting confidence, and resilience.
  • Develop social interaction and networks, nurturing community spirit for patients, their families and also for staff.

Click on the sections below to find out more.

rb&hArts Online - delivers an online creative programme that offers arts and culture workshops, events and activities. People can also access concerts, singing tutorials, craft sessions, gardening and upcycling workshops and visual arts events.

Participatory Arts - rb&hArts provides a range of creative activities and workshops for our patients, staff and wider community to get involved in. These activities help participants learn new skills, increase wellbeing and encourage social engagement

Singing for Breathing - aims to complement physiotherapeutic support for respiratory conditions by introducing patients to a new form of exercise that encourages better understanding of breath control through the use of the voice.

Vocal Beats - music facilitators take young inpatients on a musical journey to enhance wellbeing, music skills and confidence.


Spaces

We use art to help transform where our patients, visitors and staff spend time. This could be in our hospitals, public spaces and areas of cultural participation, and clinical spaces such as wards. We also provide online community spaces.

Click on the sections below to find out more.

Exhibitionsrb&hArts manages temporary exhibitions in public spaces across the hospitals. Exhibitions include the annual staff and patients arts show, as well as artist showcases.

Current commissions - rb&hArts is proud to have positively enhanced the hospital environment of Royal Brompton and Harefield by bringing art to thousands of patients.

Previous commissions - a collection of artworks previously commissioned by rb&hArts.


Volunteering

rb&hArts runs exciting programmes for patients so we are always looking to recruit friendly and personable volunteers with creative skills to share.

Find out more about volunteering opportunities here.


Our publications

Arts strategy - read about rb&hArts' 10-year strategy to deliver quality arts and culture to improve the health and wellbeing of patients, staff and the community surrounding our hospitals. 

Vocal Beats report - read our 2020 external evaluation by Marion Friend MBE, Gráinne Hope, and Charlotte Wells, a hospital ward-based music project for children and young people aged 0-25 years old.


Case studies

Coming soon

Partnerships 

Coming soon