CW+, the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, is one of the organisations behind Best For You.
The team at CW+ know that hospital stays often result in stress, boredom, and loneliness for patients of all ages, so they run an innovative programme called Arts for All. Arts for All gives patients of all ages the chance to engage with arts activities to boost their wellbeing.
In early 2020, all non-essential hospital visits had to stop because of COVID-19. In response, CW+ developed Virtual Connections, a free online arts programme that everyone can access, wherever they are.
Virtual Connections includes creative inspiration and downloadable activities from over 40 people and groups. Arts-based activities can boost confidence and wellbeing by offering valuable distraction or giving people the chance to express themselves.
We’re highlighting six art sets of resources that we think children and young people will enjoy, whether they’re at home or in a healthcare setting.
Colour with A Space Between
A Space Between is the product and collective name of Emily Halban, Fardokht Sharifi-Yazdi, and Tianna Moquette Dagher. They’ve worked with people across the globe to make colouring sheets that allow young people to take a break, switch off, and immerse themselves in creativity. A Space Between worked with a range of artists to create colouring sheets.
View and download the colouring sheets on the CW+ website.
Create with Charlotte Cranidge
Charlotte has a BA in Painting and now practises in printmaking. She runs workshops with CW+ that celebrate creativity and support recovery. Charlotte has created videos that encourage people to try Christmas crafts and create pictures inspired by famous artists.
Watch the videos on the CW+ website.
Draw with Andy Council
Andy Council is an illustrator who creates animals that are made up of buildings and other landmarks. He’s also created huge murals, including two at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Andy created three drawing workshops to help people of abilities draw city-inspired animals.
Watch the videos on the CW+ website.
Paint by numbers with Emma Jeffrey
Emma Jeffrey is an artist. She created paint by numbers kits, which were really popular with patients. Emma and CW+ have made the paint by numbers templates and reference pictures available to download, so you can give it a go wherever you are.
Download the templates and pictures on the CW+ website.
Craft workshops for children under 12 with Grace’s Dream
Grace’s Dream is a children’s charity that provides bedside performance arts workshops to children in hospitals and hospices. Grace Kelly runs the charity – she’s an arts and wellbeing practitioner who’s provided workshops in hospitals across the UK. She made a series of virtual workshops that include stories and craft activities for children aged 1 to 12.
Watch the workshops on the CW+ website.
Mindful drawing and art tutorials with the National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait gallery has some of the world’s most famous paintings! It’s closed until 2023 for redevelopment, so they’ve created an online connection of works and activities for everyone to enjoy while it’s closed. CW+ worked with the National Portrait Gallery to bring some of their artists’ work to Virtual Connections.
