Publish date: 27 March 2026
Patients at the Hammersmith & Fulham Mental Health Unit will now have access to a wider range of high‑quality art materials, thanks to a generous donation from Winsor & Newton, the arts and crafts supply company, which empowers local partnerships and recognises the role of art in mental health care.
The supplies include watercolour paints, brushes, specialist markers, pencils, pads and design sets. Each ward has received a pack of materials to support unstructured creative activities, where patients can create something personal and unique, giving them more opportunities to express themselves outside of formal therapeutic groups. This involves a patient working on their own piece, staff and patients working together on a shared artwork, or even creating pieces to decorate their surroundings. These activities help patients feel more settled and comfortable on the wards, giving them the space that feels ‘theirs.’
Creative activities play an important role in recovery, often offering patients a meaningful way to explore emotions, build confidence and develop new skills.
Bartley Rock, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist said: “Art and artistic expression has been shown to be a very effective intervention for those experiencing mental health difficulties. A review of studies indicates that 78 percent of individuals experiencing mental health issues showed significant improvement after participating in art and creative expression. This means it plays an important role in a person’s care, whether it’s helping to express emotions, achieving something through creating, or simply enjoying the process and spending time in a meaningful, therapeutic way.”
This initiative grew from the team as part of ongoing work on NHS England’s ‘Culture of care standards for mental health inpatient services,’ with a particular focus on unstructured activities, and increasing the range available. Teams at the Hammersmith & Fulham Mental Health Unit reviewed what they already had available and, with feedback from patients through community meetings, identified what patients would most like and benefit from.
As a result, wards can now offer a broader and improved set of activities for patients with high‑quality materials, supporting a more patient‑centred and evidence‑based approach to recovery. This also supports West London NHS Trust’s commitment to prioritising the health, well‑being and high‑quality care of our patients, by working alongside them and their communities to shape services that truly meet their needs.