Funding awarded to Grampian Hospitals Arts Trust programme

Grampian Hospitals Arts Trust (GHAT) has been granted Social Isolation and Loneliness Funding from the Scottish Government to support its award-winning Artroom programme.

Artroom provides a welcoming environment for hospital patients who may be experiencing loneliness and/or life changing illnesses.

Patients are encouraged to engage in creative activity with the support of specially trained professional artists or writers.

This allows them to escape thoughts of hospital routine and illness for a while and can have a significant impact on their wellbeing.

The funding will enable GHAT to continue to deliver its Artroom project in three venues, supporting people who are experiencing social isolation and loneliness due to their circumstances.

This could be due to a stroke, mental health issues, life limiting conditions or lack of mobility and social connections.

Social Isolation and Loneliness funding will sustain at least one session per week for three years in each venue (Scottish Government budget depending) – Specialist Rehabilitation Services, Bonnymuir Green Café and Aberdeen Health Village.

Sally Thomson, director of Grampian Hospitals Art Trust said: "This is such welcome news. We strive to support people and their families whilst they navigate challenging heath issues and this funding will ensure we can keep going in these three venues.

Diane Wilson, head of operations and development said: "Impact Funding Partners is delighted to be managing the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund on behalf of Scottish Government.

"£3.2 million has been invested in 53 organisations to tackle the harm caused by these issues, improve understanding and to strengthen social connections across Scotland through a range of activities and services.

"We look forward to supporting Grampian Hospitals Art Trust and seeing the impact that can be achieved over the next three years through this vital project."

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