Alder Hey runs a varied and dynamic programme of arts, ranging from dance, visual arts, comedy, poetry, performance, music and digital arts. The programme is centred upon the patient and how his or her stay at Alder hey can be made more enriching and enjoyable - where possible, we aim to provide a therapeutic experience and contribute to their sense of well being. We also develop our programmes between the artist and health professional to ensure that each project and initiative meets the patient's needs. This has included mentoring schemes between artists and staff, and professional development programmes. Patient participation is key to our values. We always try to involve the patient where possible in the process of making of art, and provide a creative experience for them. In order to deliver much of our arts programme, we work with a number of leading arts agencies in Merseyside: Bluecoat Arts Centre, Foundation for Arts and Creative Technology (FACT), Liverpool Comedy Trust, Merseyside Dance Initiative, Metal, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Tate Liverpool, Walk The Plank Theatre Company, and The Windows Project. These are known as our Cultural Champions. In 2007, our work with our Cultural Champions was cited as a model of good practice in a Department of Health and Arts Council of England publication, 'A Prospectus for Arts and Health'. The Trust's artist-in-residence Karen Woods, funded through the Wallace and Gromit Children's Hospital Fund has worked on a number of ward based projects including creating a wall piece for the waiting area on ward K1. Based on a jungle theme, Karen was able to work with patients, their families and staff to create a truly collaborative and spectacular piece. Karen recently completed a stunning relaxation room on the Dewi Jones Unit, based on an underwater theme. Alder Hey Arts project, working with FACT and award winning BBC sound recordist Chris Watson aimed to explore how sound might impact on a healthcare environment and how bringing the outdoors indoors might provide an uplifting and therapeutic experience for patients. With the help of patients, families and staff, Chris made a recording of the dawn chorus in Springfield Park and made a compressed version of the dawn chorus, which patients can listen to on the wards. There is also a sound installation on the main corridor which features a blackbird's song which can be enjoyed by all visitors. The project was supported by The Wellcome Trust and was featured on a Radio 4 broadcast, Nature - The Sounds of Britain, as well as local and national media. Over the last 18 months, Alder Hey has developed an exciting partnership with Merseyside Dance Initiative, bringing professional dancers into the hospital to work with patients. Using music, movement, dance and relaxation techniques, the dancers have led both group sessions in Ronald McDonald House, and worked with individual patients on the wards. Our Play Specialist team have undertaken dance training with the team from Merseyside Dance Initiative, at the dance studio in Hope Street in Liverpool. Currently, dancers are working with patients one to one on Oncology, Neuro Medical and the Dewi Jones Unit which patients have found highly beneficial. In October 2008, our dance programme won the North West Public Health Award for Arts and Culture. Music Therapy is a new service here at Alder Hey and you may hear the instrument trolley visiting many children and families around the hospital, where music and sound are used to enable non-verbal communication and expression. A new music programme was started in collaboration with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. The arts for health programme is funded entirely from charitable sources: Arts Council North West, The Trust's Endowment Fund, Liverpool Cultural Company, and Wallace and Gromit Children's Hospital Fund. In May 2007, the arts programme was also given generous support from the Imagine Appeal at the White Ball.
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