Engaging with St Thomas’ Hospital
We are currently engaged in regular three-week residencies at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, working closely with chronic pain groups as part of the INPUT Pain Management Programme. In collaboration with selected artists, including our team from BSDC, we engage both patients and staff in a range of creative, therapeutic activities designed to support pain rehabilitation and improve quality of life despite ongoing pain.
As part of this holistic, arts-based intervention, we also focus on creating resources that participants can take with them after discharge to support ongoing self-care and pain management. By training staff to incorporate these creative approaches, we aim to build a lasting impact on patient care, enabling the hospital to serve as a space where art, health, and community engagement intersect.
2024 to 2025
Each session at St Thomas' Hospital incorporates gentle, flexible approaches rooted in the Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) model—focusing on helping participants "do what matters," "open up," and "be present." These sessions integrate a range of indoor and outdoor activities, led by artists and health professionals, to foster engagement and self-expression in new and meaningful ways.
19 June 2024
Devika Rao
Mansi Dabral
Aniruddha Mukherjee
Gavin Joynt
The session began with a dance performance by Mansi. Following this, Gavin led a photography workshop where he showed the group the different aspects and considerations a photographer might experience when taking a photograph. He also provided the group with a variety of cameras, allowing them to put their learning into practice. The group photographed dancers both inside and outside the building, and also took turns in photographing each other with some of the Indian fabrics and outfits that had been brought along.
Photos taken by participants:
The session compared participants' creativity three months before the workshop to their innovation after attending the creative session workshops. Many participants noted the positive impact these sessions had on them.
What did you enjoy most about the workshop and why?
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I really enjoyed the dancing.
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I enjoyed listening to the drums.
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I enjoyed dancing and taking photos.
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It made me want to be a part of the session. I felt energised by it.
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Interactive elements of the dancing and learning about a different culture.
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These quotes highlight the positive and immersive impact of dance, music, and cultural engagement. Participants experienced joy, energy, and a sense of connection through movement, rhythm, and interactive elements.
10 July 2024
Mansi Dabral
Kartik Raghunathan
Gavin Joynt
14 August 2024
Louise Grassby
This session included our BSDC Hopscotch alongside various outdoor activities. Participants walked, listened to sounds, created shape blocks, and observed architecture.
The session compared participants' creativity three months before the workshop to their innovation after attending the creative session workshops. Many participants noted the positive impact these sessions had on them.
What did you enjoy most about the workshop and why?
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Visual expression of pain felt like I left the pain on the paper.
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The focus that I experienced during the activity was helpful.
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Louise was great, very informative, gentle, and patient. It allowed me to think of my pain differently.
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I want to draw more, for example, beach view and more crafts with my daughter, but include intentional outdoor painting.
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I felt inspiration + motivation.
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25 September 2024
Liz Atkin
The session began with Emma and Rosie’s introductions. Liz, a visual artist with Breathe Arts Health Research, then shared her experience with her condition and how drawing has helped her. She encouraged participants to focus on texture, mark-making, and anything that captured their attention, such as plant shadows.
Afterwards, the group took a gentle walk outside, capturing photos with their phones whilst Liz talked about the importance of touch and curiosity. Upon returning, they gathered around a table with dried seed pods and plants, where Liz encouraged them to observe and draw what they saw.
Afterwards, the group took a gentle walk outside, capturing photos with their phones whilst Liz talked about the importance of touch and curiosity. Upon returning, they gathered around a table with dried seed pods and plants, where Liz encouraged them to observe and draw what they saw.
What did you enjoy most about the workshop and why?
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It is beneficial to distract me from pain.
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Playing with the different textures.
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I was feeling relaxed and engaged in something I would never normally do.
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I loved the charcoal and pastels. I was lost in my thoughts, enjoying the process, and I felt encouraged to continue drawing. The texture of pastel and charcoal was also nice.
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Overall Impact of the Session
These statements demonstrate how art fosters emotional well-being, relaxation, and self-expression. Artistic engagement offers numerous psychological and therapeutic benefits, whether through the joy of creation, the exploration of textures, or the ability to momentarily escape pain.
16 October 2024
Louise Grassby
The session focused on expressing participants’ feelings and emotions through the clay work and starting the session by exploring colours and textures by examining fabrics. The clay session accompanied Kathak's music, with the violin playing.
What did you enjoy most about the workshop and why?
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I enjoyed all of it.
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I enjoyed looking at the outside through an artistic eyes.
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This session was a great reminder of how much I enjoyed it & how it can help my mental health.
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I enjoyed going outside and drawing on cards with different feelings to demonstrate light and perspectives.
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6 November 2024
Mansi Dabral
Manuela Benini
Suhani Dhanki
Kartik Raghunathan
Gavin Joynt
Ceramicist
Chris Speyer
What did you enjoy most about the workshop and why?
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The pottery project. The food and touch of materials helped me to be express myself.
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I enjoyed the most clay = physicality/touching/modeling with music.
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The engagement felt very positive, the degree of a ''challenge'' was pitched just right, and we had positive artistic output. :)
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I enjoyed making a pot the most - it's been a long time since I completed the crafted item.
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I was happy with a clay part.
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11 December 2024
Mansi Dabral
Gavin Joynt
Physio
Rosie Cruickshank
Occupational Therapist
Catherine Flower
The session began with a performance by Mansi, along with Rosie Cruickshank and Catherine Flower, an Occupational Therapist. Afterward, Gavin led a brief tutorial on using cameras.
Participants photographed Mansi as she danced to represent elements of nature, such as animals and flowers, while also engaging in physiotherapy-related movements. Cathrine explained how these movements tied into physiotherapy. At the end of the session, participants received photographs to remember the activities.
Participants photographed Mansi as she danced to represent elements of nature, such as animals and flowers, while also engaging in physiotherapy-related movements. Cathrine explained how these movements tied into physiotherapy. At the end of the session, participants received photographs to remember the activities.
Photos taken by participants:
What did you enjoy most about the workshop and why?
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I am going to explore fluid movement.
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I enjoyed the dance and doing the movements.
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I will start photography again. I did not realise how much I missed it.
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It inspired me to do more photography
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I am planning on drawing and retaking photographs. Using distractions and exercise to forget my pain.
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I enjoyed the techniques of the dance, breathing and photoshop workshop.
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I felt relaxed during the dance.
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19 March 2025
Mansi Dabral
Caitano Saldanha
Kartik Raghunathan
Marcina Arnold
Vipul Sangoi
2 April 2025
Caitano Saldanha
Ellie Rose
Kartik Raghunathan
Deveraj Thimmaiah
Caitano Saldanha
Devika Rao
Ellie Rose
Mansi Dabral
Manuela Benini
Suhani Dhanki
Aniruddha Mukherjee
Kartik Reghunathan
Marcina Arnold
Liz Atkin
Louise Grassby
Balbir Singh
Devaraj Thimmaiah
Gavin Joynt
Vipul Sangoi