A week of creativity to celebrate 10 years of GOSH Arts

Children, young people, families and staff came together for a weeklong celebration to mark 10 years of GOSH Arts, with a vibrant festival packed with creative activities, workshops and live performances.

The festival featured a packed programme of activities including a Temporary Tattoo Parlour, drumming and sound bath experiences, creative making and building workshops, and sensory clay sessions.

Throughout the week, the GOSH Arts also welcomed an incredible line up of live performances. Participants enjoyed energetic carnival music from Kinetika Bloco, comedy from Shelf, beautiful live music from London City Sinfonia and a magical visit from the West End cast of Wicked, who brought songs and smiles across the hospital.

The celebrations culminated in a processional ‘Party Parade’ through the hospital, led by Kinetika Bloco and our Resident Artists. Following the parade, patients shared their wishes for creativity at GOSH and blew out the candles on a giant birthday cake. Created by artist Tom Woolner, the cake was adorned with clay decorations designed by patients, while each slice was worn by a staff member who performed in the parade.

Across the week, just under 1600 patients, families and staff took part in the GOSH Arts festival making it one of the programme’s most highly engaged activities to date.

One parent fed back "This has just made our stay here so different. We now leave with happy memories of joyous experiences instead of medical procedures. This was also our first time we were able to leave the ward for a week! So, it’s even more special!"

GOSH Arts would like to thank the many artists, collaborators and colleagues who made the festival possible and contributed to its success, enabling us to reach so many young people and families.