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0 Equipment like an MRI scanner is noisy and can be frightening live performances and commissions. ECHC’S arts programme provides art interventions at paediatric healthcare settings across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
We work with babies, children and young people aged between 0-16 years, as well as their families. This requires a diverse programme of events able to capture the interest of a teenage boy as easily as a girl of five.
Many of our arts projects are linked with hospital departments, for example dance work alongside physiotherapy. As one mum said: “It was amazing to see the movements that he achieved when he was dancing. He seemed to be much more motivated when he didn’t realise he was doing the physio exercises we’d been trying to get him to do”.
Another project is using 3D printing sculpture within the ear reconstruction service. The artist and clinician work closely together to devise sessions with patients’ rehabilitation needs in mind. We aim to give the children something fun to look forward to while contributing towards achieving recovery goals.
Technology plays a key role with everything from interactive games which encourage movement to 3DTV assisting in pre-op relaxation. Recently a partnership with Specsavers, bringing Virtual Reality to the hospital, led one initially nervous boy to engage confidently with his treatment. He explained: “I’ve just been flying around inside a volcano. I can do anything now Dad.” ● Roslyn Neely is chief executive, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity www.echcharity.org