Spring Sketches

Spring Sketches is a display of art works by staff and service users in collaboration with the main Occupational Therapy Department (OT) art studio and OT walled garden. During two sunny mornings in Spring, service users and their accompanying staff were invited to draw and paint in the OT walled garden, taking inspiration from the beautiful surroundings.

Bethlem Royal Hospital is set in 200 acres of green space, including a walled garden.

Here Bethlem's Head Occupational Therapist Peter O’Hare explains how patients and staff benefit from these:

"The Walled Garden has become a thriving aspect of hospital life which is greatly appreciated and well used by patients and staff alike. Supported by the Maudsley Charity, the project provides much needed outdoor healthy physical activities for service users while producing fresh produce from the walled garden for the benefit of patients and staff.

It’s over a decade since the Walled Garden was built and the benefits that have accrued to all those who have visited it have clearly demonstrated that outdoor activities in association with nature are an extremely therapeutic tool. As well as traditional horticulture, the range of activities offered over the years include nature appreciation, apple pressing and forest therapy."

This exhibition was kindly supported by ‘Smile with Us’ funding from the Maudsley Charity.