Hospital Rooms artist workshops

Working together creatively with artists, staff and service users to transform mental health units and support recovery.


In August we introduced our latest project with Hospital Rooms at Greenfields in Plymouth. We’ve donated £40,000 from our charity socks campaign to help six artists transform the unit, which is run by Livewell Southwest for women with long-standing mental health issues.

Since then the artists have led a series of innovative workshops, developing their concepts alongside the service users and staff.

From printing with squid ink to silk painting and even sketching a live owl, Natalie at Hospital Rooms says these workshops are groundbreaking for them. As well as being fun and creative, they have a great impact on recovery.

How the workshops benefit mental health

All the staff and service users at Greenfields are invited to join the workshops to shape their environment.

Life drawing workshop with Nicola Bealing and Mozart the owl at Greenfields in Plymouth for Hospital Rooms

Mozart the owl was model for the day at Nicola Bealing’s life drawing workshop

Diane Bratt, the unit manager, tells us how this collaborative approach helps service users find their voice…

“These workshops get the ideas flowing – they show that everyone can make a difference, add value and pass on a legacy.”

We also spoke to Laura Blatherwick, Lead for Arts Therapy for Livewell Southwest, who runs art, music and drama therapy across Plymouth. Laura has seen creative therapies make positive and life-changing differences.

“Creative activities build people’s confidence to take huge leaps in their personal lives. They help develop self-worth, communication skills and build relationships.

The approach Hospital Rooms take, with support from Seasalt, is particularly important. Offering such a high-quality art experience sends the right message; showing people that their views, ideas, stories and lives matter.

Co-creating the artwork with professional artists is so powerful. It’s exciting to see the artwork at the end, but it’s just as valuable how we’re going about creating that artwork.”

Abigail Reynolds workshop for Hospital Rooms at Greenfields in Plymouth Seasalt Giving

Abigail Reynolds working with the outdoor space using artwork from her print making workshop

We’re really proud that our contribution is making a difference on so many levels. The workshops play such a valuable part in the recovery process, and the unit is being transformed from a clinical environment to a welcoming and inspiring place to be. Laura says…

“This artwork in the space starts everything on the right foot. It will improve outcomes so very much and means a lot in their recovery journey.”

We look forward to sharing the final artwork when the project completes next year.

Hospital Rooms Greenfields workshop by Emma Talbot

Silk painting workshop with Emma Talbot

Help us raise money for our charity partners

Did you know that 20p from every pair of single Seasalt socks sold goes to charity? This year we will donate £100,000 to our charity partners.

Find out more about our charity partners Mylor Sailability and Hospital Rooms and the other projects we support on our sustainability page.

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