About Us

Breathe Arts Health Research (Breathe) are world leaders in combining creativity and robust scientific research to improve health and wellbeing.

We deliver diverse evidence-based programmes across a range of art forms, to meet specific clinical and wellbeing needs, and use our decade of expertise and experience to lead creative talks and training.

Our multi-award-winning work is co-designed with healthcare staff, creatives, researchers, academics, patients, and communities – ensuring relevancy, inclusivity and impact.

Breathe’s vision is to transform healthcare, embedding evidence-based arts and health into the mainstream. We are connected and grounded by our values, to be Pioneering, Empowering, Collaborative, Inclusive and act with Integrity.

We’re a small ambitious, not-for-profit social enterprise founded in 2012, who make a big impact. Our innovative and artistic approach to transforming healthcare experiences, offer those we work with, a sense of empowerment, hope and creative fulfilment when they need it most.

Being a participant in Breathe’s programmes have allowed me to see the possibilities and limitless capabilities I have as an individual when I tap into my creative side.
Melodies for Mums Participant

We back up our creative approaches with clinical research. Our work is developed in collaboration with leading healthcare professionals and cultural partners worldwide, then assessed for its medical and economic value.

We have co-authored medical journals, published books, and contributed to government policies.

Ensuring our programmes at Breathe are underpinned by robust clinical research means that we can not only be sure of the efficacy of our work, but also, and very importantly, understand how and why our programmes are making an impact.
Yvonne Farquharson, Breathe's Founder and Managing Director

Breathe is delighted to be one of the first arts and health companies to be recognised by NHS England, and have worked across over 80 healthcare locations in the UK and as far afield as Australia. Patients and communities can access our programmes through referrals from a healthcare practitioner or link worker – making our work part of mainstream healthcare.

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We are proud that our work has been commissioned by over 15 NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) nationally

Breathe’s programmes are one of the things that gives the Trust a bit of an edge. Hospitals can be distressing for patients and tough places to work for staff - the arts counter that in no small way. It is a very important part of caring for patients and staff.
Sir Hugh Taylor, Guy’s and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Chairman