Fresh Arts is the arts programme managed by North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT).  It was established in 2007. The name ‘Fresh Arts’ represents the coming together of Frenchay and Southmead Hospitals upon the opening of the Brunel building on our Southmead site in 2014. Fresh Arts exists to enhance patient, visitor and staff experience of our hospitals and services, create distraction, provoke thought and improve health and wellbeing. 

We believe that experiencing and engaging in the arts can improve the quality of life and enhance the wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff. It can provide distraction from boredom and pain, increase confidence and self-esteem, enable a greater sense of agency, and provide increased opportunities for social interaction and connection with staff, visitors and other patients as well as with oneself.  

Engaging professional artists and musicians across our programme, and supporting a large team of volunteer musicians, we deliver a programme of arts activity which offers opportunities to enjoy performances and productions by local, national and regional artists as well as providing the benefits of engaging with music, dance, creative writing, visual arts and crafts.   

Fresh Arts activity is made possible by the generous support of donors to Southmead Hospital Charity.