Dr Sheena McLaggan, take heART co-founder and Consultant Radiologist
Being co-lead of take heART has been transformative for me. It has brought me a renewed sense of purpose and has given me a huge sense of pride. Through the group I have forged so many new friendships. Art brings connection and joy, and it is just magical to see our projects bringing smiles to so many faces.
Dr Rachel Chater, Principal Clinical Psychologist (Staff Health and Wellbeing and Critical Care) and co-founder of take heART. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, working in collaboration with East London NHS Foundation Trust
Working as a Staff Health and Wellbeing Psychologist for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides an opportunity to find creative responses to complex and systemic issues. One of the initiatives I am most proud of is my role as co-founder of take heART. A project that is built on collaboration, innovation and a dedication to enhance the wellbeing of all those who visit and work on the hospital sites. Like many, I have told myself “I’m not creative” and with this struggled to connect with the benefits of creativity and the arts. It was my experience as a patient, and the positive impact of art on my wellbeing at a difficult time, that inspired me to help develop this project. In particular, to reach out to those who may experience barriers to accessing the benefits of creativity. I was keen to explore how to harness the soothing and engaging qualities of art and creativity, to support those navigating an often busy, unpredictable and anxiety provoking hospital environment.
Charmaine Norrish, Fundraising Manager
I have been with take heART since the beginning and came on to support with their fundraising. I have seen this group grow and do wonderful things for staff and the Trust. I no longer am just supporting with fundraising, I am a part of this wonderful group developing ideas and offering support. It has been a wonderful journey so far and I look forward to it continuing.
Karen Reep, volunteer
I worked in paediatrics as a Paediatric Sister at the L&D for 30 years. When I retired, I became a full time artist and drew some staff at Bedfordshire Hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic to remember a moment in time. I also paint people’s pets and became a volunteer for take heART.
Carly Blackwell, Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) Lead
As the Trust’s Professional Nurse Advocate Lead, I recognise the importance of creativity in helping to restore the balance in what for all of us, can be a crazy work-life juggling challenge. I enjoy being creative, but not in the way that most people imagine. I can’t draw or paint ‘art’, but I enjoy other forms of creativity, like arranging flowers nicely in a vase, upcycling old furniture, baking or cooking for family and friends. There is creativity to be found everywhere and in everybody, it just may not always be obvious at first glance. That’s why take heART is so important, not only as a way of encouraging our colleagues’ creativity and the benefits it brings, but it’s also so important for patients and relatives. Being in hospital is often a challenging and difficult time, so any amount of joy that take heART can create to positively impact on a patients time with us at Bedfordshire Hospitals is significant.