"To embed creativity into the health and well-being of all through arts and cultural practice"

Lime acts as a channel between the arts and healthcare, developing, co-ordinating and implementing a wide range of creative projects to deliver positive outcomes for individuals' well-being, lifestyle choices, clinical treatment and recovery.

WHAT WE DO

Lime is an award-winning arts organisation that uses creative activity to impact on individual health, bringing culture and the arts into Greater Manchester's healthcare system via the work of a multi-disciplined group of professional artists.

Ceramists, glass artists, visual artists, dancers, writers, film makers and sculptors - Lime's 'stable' of artistic partners have improved the experience and well-being of patients, public and staff within Greater Manchester's healthcare system immeasurably.

From its birth in 1973, Lime has implemented a dazzling array of projects. These range from large-scale NHS PFI (Private Finance Initiative) capital build commissions and the creation of art installations in healthcare premises to workshops which enable hospital patients to explore their experiences through visual art.

Lime's work is about linking communities inside and outside the healthcare system and creating opportunities for artists to develop their practice. Its programme of work explores creative ways of raising self-esteem and adding new dimensions to the modernisation of the NHS.

Lime's central office is located within Central Manchester &Manchester NHS Trust, and the organisation also works extensively within the Pennine Acute NHS Trust, South Manchester Foundation Trust, and Withington Community Hospital.

Additionally Lime projects are based in numerous community settings including local authorities, museums, youth groups, day centres, GP services and support services. The organisation also runs residencies in it's own studios and with partners to encourage emerging artists, and introduce them into the specialist field of arts in healthcare.

Lime is commissioned by NHS hospital trusts, local authorities, primary care trusts, and 'LIFT' (Local Improvement Finance Trust) scheme builds, as well as offering consultancy on policy and management best practice in the field. We also develop our own initiatives for programmes of activity and research to further the field of Arts in Healthcare.

Lime believes in engaging all parties in collaborative decision making with effective and inclusive managed outcomes.

WHAT CAN LIME DO FOR YOU?

Community Engagement - delivering projects that connect, involve and consult with local people, hospital populations, schools, student groups, voluntary sector agencies, other cultural organisations.

Improving Hospital Environments - through working with architects and commissioners, staff and patient groups adding new dimensions to public spaces and clinical settings.

Professional Development and Training - addressing awareness and learning issues through drama, creative writing, art games, creative ways of problem solving.

Cultural Awareness - workshops to consider the potential for integrating music, art making, sound recording, colour and form into hospital settings through participation and collective action.

Public Health - exploring issues through different creative languages to find new solutions to health inequalities and health promotion.

Research - a number of Lime projects are research focussed or academically evaluated (links with Universities in Manchester).

Having Fun - it is essential for our well being and health and professional development to be happy. Exploring ideas with artists can be deep and expressive but can also be great fun. It's good for the mind to think out of the box..

Lime passionately believes that everyone is creative and that creativity has a powerful role to play in self determination, well being and the health of society.

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THE TEAM

• Brian
• Bronwyn
• Dawn
• Helen
• Kim
• Lucy
• Rob

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