The Art of Portering - Breathe

The Art of Portering

Past Programme - Our creative art project that connected porters with patients through the Guy's and St Thomas' art collection

A collaboration with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, and Breathe wordsmith and poet Simon Mole. The Art of Portering highlighted the Charity’s fine art and heritage collection through the eyes of the portering team.

A hospital porter is involved in almost every situation in the hospital. They travel long distances every day, supporting patients and staff as they journey through hospital sites.

.Please note: Funding for Breathe’s arts programmes previously delivered in Guy’s & St Thomas’ have sadly ended. If you are interested in funding this programme please contact hannah@breatheahr.org

Uniquely, at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, those journeys often take them past many extraordinary pieces of art or history, as they are homes to one of the largest and oldest collections of fine art and heritage in hospitals in the UK. The Art of Portering project informed a revamp of the art displays at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, and brightened up the porter’s routes.

Watch our overview film for an insight into The Art of Portering project.

Porters selected specific artworks to be displayed in the areas which are most frequently navigated through by patients and staff.

Breathe poet Simon Mole worked with the porters to create unique poems about the pieces, to enhance performance and communication skills, and provide the team with creative talking points to use as they escort patients across the hospital.

Download our map to see where you can find the display across Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

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