LIME: Arts and Health - Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Lime delivers creative projects in hospital and community healthcare settings that compliment quality of care and enhance quality of life.

Established in 1973, Lime boasts global recognition as one of the longest standing arts and health organisations in the world.

Lime’s work is driven by the belief that creativity has a powerful role to play in self-determination, well-being and the health of society. Lime projects compliment delivery of clinical care and transform healthcare environments to enhance quality of life, for thousands of NHS staff and patients, every year.

Lime’s international reputation is maintained by a long standing commitment to diverse artistic commissioning and inclusive modes of engagement and participation. These commitments present major stakeholders, sponsors and donors, opportunity to invest in exceptionally cost effective arts projects with lasting legacies and long term benefits for MFT staff, patients, families, carers and visitors.

Left: Bereaved mothers working with Glass Artist Sasha Ward to develop designs for RMCH Paediatric Mortuary Arts Project. Right: final artwork + designs. Images 2017 Lime ©

Lime’s programme includes several key strands of work:

Environmental Arts Programme

Lime transforms hospital spaces into therapeutic environments. Our expert team coordinate artistic commissioning of high profile artists and designers who work closely with patients, service users and staff to carefully develop bespoke artworks that are tailored to support the complexities and individual needs of services and departments.

“Children can now better cope with fear and anxiety associated with the hospital environment and radiological procedures. Thank you LIME Arts for making our children happier and my job much more enjoyable”

Rui M. F. Santos (MD) Consultant Paediatric Radiologist, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester, UK

Starship X-Ray’ RMCH Imaging Department main reception (before + after) Image 2018 Lime ©

Music + Printmaking with staff and patients at MRI. Image 2019 Lime ©

Participatory Art Programme

We coordinate and deliver multidisciplinary participatory art projects on wards and at the bedsides of patients across MFT. Professional visual artists, musicians, performance artists and dancers; who are equipped with skills and expertise, sensitively engage staff and patients, in complex hospital settings. Our participatory projects promote staff and patient wellbeing and are tailored to complement and support delivery of services. This programme provides training and mentoring for professional artist/musicians and students.

RMCH Music for Health

A specialist music team deliver multiple music projects and host music residencies in the wards and at the bedside with children, young people, families and staff at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. The Music for Health team also delivers accredited training for music and medical students at The Royal Northern College of Music and The University of Manchester Medical School.

Artist in Residence Programme

Artists in Residence work closely with staff and patient groups in acute hospital settings to explore, through the process of printmaking, how creativity can generate fresh insights into current NHS priorities. This strand of work is Arts Council Funded.

Screen-printing with nurses on wards 45 +46 at MRI. Image 2019 Lime ©

Public Performance Programme

In partnership with RNCM, Live Music now and Music in Hospitals, Lime coordinates over 100 musical performances in the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital public atrium every year, providing a combination of classical, folk, jazz and world music for thousands of MFT staff, patients and visitors.

Hospital Printmaking Studio

Our printmaking studio is a unique creative space where ALL MFT staff can access high quality art activity, including printmaking workshops and demonstrations delivered by the UK’s leading artists and printmakers. We provide Printmaking sessions that support MFT Employee Health and Wellbeing Agenda. Sessions are advertised on MFT iNews and are available to all MFT staff free of charge. We can also tailor workshops specifically for your team for staff away days and team building workshops.

Screen-printing workshops with MRI Activity Coordinators Image 2019 Lime ©

Awards and Recognition

Lime has received numerous awards and recognition, including, in recent years, a Highly Commended award from the Design and Health International Academy, multiple Building Better Healthcare awards including, the international category ‘Patient Choice’ award and ‘Best Collaborative Arts Project’ award, the NHS in the North Excellence in Supply award and a Commendation from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity at Westminster.

The Arts Team

Programme Director – Dawn Prescott

Administrator – Rosemary Howes

Contact us

If you would like to know more and/or discuss a project please get in touch.

Email: lime@limeart.org

Phone: 0161 276 5839

(Please note: Lime’s new website is currently under construction.)

All Lime projects are supported through charitable funding.