11 July 2024

We are delighted to announce that CNWL has been successful in its bid to join the National Digital Art School project. This is a fantastic opportunity for our adult mental health wards, where we will be provided with advanced art equipment and an innovative online platform for patients to engage in creative projects. The programme includes monthly pre-recorded workshops led by 12 world-class artists and an archive of over 50 workshops, along with a space to upload and share creations.

The National Digital Art School project by Hospital Rooms, relaunching in May 2024, is a free national art programme for every mental health inpatient unit in England. Hospital Rooms is a unique arts organisation that has significantly changed what is possible within locked and secure mental health wards. Their work has radically transformed patient environments and experiences through art and creativity, with a current waiting list of 65 mental health trusts. The Digital Art School aims to scale this impact, providing a safeguarded, secure, and NHS-sanctioned online platform that can be a crucial creative outlet to those staying in mental health wards’. Key features of the programme include:

  • An extensive online arts platform with over 50 on-demand creative sessions.
  • Monthly new artistic activities spanning three years (2024-2027).
  • Professional quality art materials delivered to the units.
  • Instructional videos to guide facilitators.

This initiative is a significant improvement to our out-of-hours activity provision on the wards, contributing greatly to the well-being of our patients at CNWL.

Art supplies and information have been delivered to our units in Harrow, Park Royal, St Charles, Riverside, and Campbell Centre.

The Digital Art School collaborates with a diverse range of acclaimed artists, many of whom have lived experience of mental health services. The programme ensures the delivery of professional quality art materials to all inpatient mental health wards in England, overcoming barriers to participation.

To support the facilitation of art sessions, the programme offers tailored training and risk assessments for Occupational Therapists and Activity Coordinators. Instructional videos and downloadable materials will guide our staff in making the best use of the Digital Art School and its resources, empowering them to transform their own environments.

We aim to have a point of delivery in every mental health unit and art supplies will be delivered to ward managers and shared with our teams as the project develops.

We are thrilled to be part of this transformative project and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our patients and staff at CNWL. For more information about the Hospital Rooms Digital Art School, please visit www.hospital-rooms.com or contact das@hospital-rooms.com.