Unleashing Creativity: Launching the Storytelling Art Cart at UHCW

Written By Caroline Backhouse

I am thrilled to finally announce the launch of an inspiring new creative pilot program I’ve been developing. My goal is to bring the transformative power of art directly to the wards and waiting rooms of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW).

This initiative isn't just about making "pretty things"—it’s about the art of storytelling and its profound impact on wellbeing within clinical environments.

Artforms

Over the course of Jan-May 2026 I will be delivering creative sessions that lead participants through a curated journey of expression. Each session dives into a unique artform, providing a tactile and imaginative escape for patients and staff alike.

This pilot focuses on a diverse "A–Z" selection of mediums, including:

  • Air-dry Clay

  • Bookmaking

  • Collage

  • Decoupage

  • Embroidery

  • Mosaic

  • Printmaking

  • Stenciling

  • Wirework

  • Rock painting

The "Art Cart": A Mobile Studio

To ensure the creativity continues long after my sessions end, I am introducing the hospital’s brand-new ‘A Dose of Art’ Art Cart. This mobile resource hub will house pre-prepared packs I’ve designed, complete with all the necessary materials and instructions for ongoing use on the wards.

Participant will also receive their own personal creative toolkit to keep, featuring:

  • A high-quality sketchbook.

  • A personal pack of professional art materials.

  • An ideas sheet I've created with suggestions on how to use the sketchbook as a powerful storytelling tool.

More Than Just a Pilot

While these sessions will reach those in inpatient wards, I am also extending the invitation to Outpatients and our hardworking UHCW staff. I truly believe that fostering connection through creativity is essential for everyone within the hospital community.

This pilot is the foundation for a broader A–Z storytelling resource I'm building for the NHS and care settings. By celebrating the many ways art can communicate experiences and support mental health, we are laying the groundwork for a more vibrant, soulful clinical environment. Art tells the stories that words sometimes can't. I want to give everyone—patients and staff—the tools to find their voice.


Caroline Backhouse