Art workshops offer wellbeing boost for renal dialysis patients

Hospital patients receiving dialysis treatment are benefiting from a wellbeing boost, thanks to your generous support.

Over the last year we've been running bedside art workshops for patients receiving care at Charing Cross Hospital's dialysis unit.

Led by our Arts Engagement Co-ordinator, Lauren, the creative sessions are tailored around patients' interests. They can involve anything from drawing and painting to fabricweaving.

The weekly workshops are part of our Creative Acts programme, which helps provide a welcome distraction for patients during their time in hospital.

Carol, who has end-stage renal failure, has been a regular participant. She had previously spent three years in hospital, waiting for and recovering from a heart transplant.

After the transplant she was paralysed from the neck down, her kidneys stopped working and she had to learn to write again.

But the art sessions have helped her build up the strength and flexibility in her fingers again.

"I can't grip and I hold a pencil funny because I can't bend my fingers," she said. "So the art workshops have really helped me a lot."

Edwin, Head Nurse at the hospital's Renal Dialysis Unit, has also seen the positive impact of the art sessions.

"Our renal patients come here two or three times a week, but when they're sitting on the machine making art it helps them forget they're here for treatment," he said.

"Some of our patients even say they can't wait to come in on a Wednesday to take part!"

Feeling inspired? Find out more about our arts programme at imperialcharity.org.uk/arts

CAROL'S STORY

Carol was among the first dialysis patients to take part in our weekly art workshops - she began making art with us after the very first session.

After several years in and out of hospital, she had become paralysed from the neck down and had problems with her kidney function. Now art-making is helping her rebuild the strength in her fingers.

"I can't grip and I hold a pencil funny because I can't bend my fingers - so this has really helped me a lot," Carol told us.

"Doing things where I'm picking up little things, like pieces of paper or tiny gems, is good for me. Using the pencils helps me flex my hands. I never used to be able to do that."

Carol says the workshops have also offered her a welcome distraction from her dialysis treatment, which requires her to sit for several hours on the ward.

"Making the art has been really therapeutic," she said. "I look