SHC funds the Arts in Health team and Volunteer Services who help improve the experiences of patients and visitors across Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust.
Between 2023 to 2024, Volunteer Services had 302 active volunteers who have supported over 73,000 patients to find their way, check in for appointments, provide companionship for patients through activities, and much more. Over 26,000 pharmacy packages were delivered by volunteer pharmacy runners, so patients received their discharge medication quicker.
Arts in Health bring creative initiatives and artistic enhancements to an otherwise clinical environment. Working closely with artists, musicians, and volunteers, they help to improve the experience of patients receiving treatment, as well as those visiting and working in Sheffield’s hospitals.
Therapy Dogs
They have a Therapy Dog team with eight dogs and seven owners who conduct both patient and staff visits with the aim of providing a little bit of joy and improve wellbeing. From the Teenage Cancer and Chemotherapy Daycase Units at Weston Park, to the Acute Therapy department and Radiology, the dogs and their owners brighten people’s days.
Janet, one of the dog owners, said:
“I visited the Endoscopy department with a lovely outcome from a patient that had gone through a traumatic procedure. With the help of Pippa and Teddy’s calming influence, we left the patient telling jokes and feeling much better from our visit. It was wonderful to see both staff and patients seeing the difference dogs make in giving comfort and unconditional empathy.”
Enhancing Environments
The Arts in Health team offer specialist project management for the installation of artwork in the hospitals to create a more calming and pleasant environment for patients, visitors and staff. They have a music programme where local musicians come to entertain, engage and enliven our patients, staff and visitors. Between 2023 to 2024, there were 18 professional music concerts a month across 19 wards.
A staff member at Brearley 7 ward in the Northern General Hospital said:
“Three sisters and a Deputy Nurse Director stood in amazement watching one patient engage with music. A moment of goosebumps all round!”
Our NHS Health Stories
Arts in Health were part of a powerful and moving portrait of the NHS on its 75th anniversary.
Over the course of a single day, NHS staff shared their stories and reflected on what it meant to be part of the NHS at this landmark moment in history. 19 locations across the UK took part, including Sheffield and the programme included poetry, music, dance and visual art created by staff, telling their stories in their own words.
The project has gone on to win a Royal Society for Public Health, Health & Wellbeing Award, marking how influential it has been in bringing to life incredible stories from across the NHS.
In and Out of Hospital Project
In and Out of Hospital was a project funded by Arts Council England and Sheffield Hospitals Charity which began in 2017 with the aim of embedding creative activities and their associated benefits into healthcare.
20 patients took part in sessions with singing for lung health facilitator Helen Lyle in partnership with the Long Covid Support Hub.
25 participants with facial disfigurements following cancer took part in a print making session at the Head and Neck support group at Burton Street Hillsborough.
Sheffield Hospitals Charity are extremely proud to fund the Arts in Health and Volunteer Services with the help of our incredible supporters.
Published: Wednesday 2nd of April 2025