Call for volunteer artists to work with patients at Tallaght Hospital

The Arts Officer at Tallaght Hospital is seeking volunteer artists to participate in an exciting art project for patients in the hospital. The project will involve volunteer artists spending one to two hours per week with patients on selected wards, using a ‘Mobile Art Trolley’ stocked with art materials. Artists will invite patients to express themselves using the art materials by their bedside and will support and encourage patients to participate.

Patients are offered the opportunity to create, but a refusal to engage will always be respected. Volunteer artists will be supported by the Arts Officer. Clinical areas in which the artist would be offered work include Age Related Health Care, Renal Dialysis and Neurology (all adult patients) and with children in the National Children’s Hospital (N.B. subject to Garda clearance).

Aims of the project

For patients:

• To offer patients an opportunity to use art materials while in hospital
• To offer an expressive, creative outlet for patients and to enhance their experience of being in hospital
• To reduce social isolation and anxiety experienced by some patients while in hospital
• To promote healing through the use of the creative arts

For volunteer artists:

• Practical experience of the role of the arts in healthcare
• Opportunity to use your skills in a meaningful way
• Opportunity to contribute to your local community
• Opportunity to carry out creative projects in a hospital setting (subject to approval of proposals)
• Opportunity to participate in a unique learning experience and to build a creative partnership between art and health

This project would suit:

• Artists considering a career in art therapy and/or arts in healthcare
• Artists interested in community art and/or public art
• Mature, reliable people with some experience of illness or disability and a caring, sensitive personality

We ask for:

• A commitment of two hours per week, on a regular basis, for a minimum of 20 weeks
• A willingness and flexibility in approach
• Communication with the Arts Officer

We offer:

• Induction, ongoing support and training sessions from the Arts Officer
• Free car parking and refreshments while at hospital
• Opportunity to develop your own work in a healthcare environment (subject to approval of proposal)
• A unique experience in a friendly, supportive organisation

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click here for more information, if you require further information.

Hilary Moss,
Arts Officer,
The National Centre for Arts and Health,
Tallaght Hospital,
Dublin 24

Tel: 01 414 2076

Email: hilary.moss@amnch.ie or Esther.Nyambura@amnch.ie

Deadline: 20 August 2012

?