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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Arts Care

We are a leading regional Arts, Health and Well-being Organisation based in Northern Ireland.

We deliver a wide range of innovative and impactful participatory arts projects and arts events into the heart of Health, Social and Community Care Services. Aim - to enhance the quality of the service users, staff and community’s experience of Healthcare

Objective - to provide quality arts engagement that supports Health and Well-being

24/04/2026

We’re delighted to share that our Clown Doctors will be featured on the Broadcast Appeal this Sunday and Monday on BBC Radio Ulster, Radio Foyle and BBC Sounds!

The Arts Care Clown Doctors bring joy, laughter and fun to children, families, and healthcare workers in hospital and health care settings across Northern Ireland. They create vital moments of escape, connection and light to those who need it most.

A huge thanks to the BBC for this incredible opportunity for our wonderful Clown Doctors to share the hugely important work they do.

Tune in this Sunday and Monday to hear more about the difference they make. 🎈🤍

23/04/2026

It’s again! ⏳

Does this place look familiar?

Through our partnership with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Arts Care has worked closely with Knockbracken Healthcare Park for decades, bringing creative classes, events, and performances to life.

Take a look at the images below, showing Arts Care artists and service users performing in Knockbracken 26 years ago, alongside moments from our 2025 Christmas Show and 2026 St Patrick’s Tea Dance in Knockbracken Hall

We’re proud of the journey we’ve shared so far with Knockbracken Healthcare Park and look forward to continuing our close relationship in the many years to come!

This is part of Arts Care’s weekly series of 35 flashbacks to celebrate our 35th anniversary. Look out for more slices of history each week!

21/04/2026

“We Are Overloaded” shares the powerful experiences of individuals living with haemochromatosis. Arts Care are delighted to be hosting this exhibition in our Gallery at the Ulster Hospital until the end of July.

In September 2024, a group of twenty one individuals came together to convey their personal experiences of this critical illness. Working with Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Cathal MacNaughton, the charity Haemochromatosis UK created a series of striking images that uniquely detail these lived experiences and aim to raise awareness of the condition and its prevalence.

Haemochromatosis, often referred to as iron overload, occurs when the body absorbs too much iron from food. If not identified early, it can lead to serious physical and mental health problems. Research by Haemochromatosis UK shows that around one in ten people in Northern Ireland carry the genes that put them at highest risk. For many, this can mean chronic fatigue, joint pain, liver disease and a wide range of other life altering symptoms.

This award winning exhibition has previously been showcased at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at Millennium Court in Portadown.

If you are visiting the Ulster Hospital, we encourage you to take a moment to explore the Gallery and experience this powerful exhibition.

09/04/2026

It’s again!

As part of our 35th anniversary celebrations, we’re looking back at the moments that shaped Arts Care and the impact of creativity in health settings across Northern Ireland.

In 1997, staff and patients at Musgrave Park Hospital came together with Arts Care Artists to design a striking display of colourful fabric banners. They were installed on the hospital grounds to welcome everyone arriving on site with colour, creativity and a powerful sense of community.

The banners were officially launched by Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Alban Maginnis, marking a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of collaboration at the heart of Arts Care’s work.

This is just one example from our journey. Over the years, our Environmental Transformation projects have continued to show how creative spaces can support wellbeing, turning everyday environments into places that feel more welcoming, uplifting, and connected.

Stay with us each week as we share more stories from the past 35 years.

08/04/2026

Our Arts Care Clown Doctors paid a special visit to Sense Nursery in Jordanstown over the Easter week, and as always, they brought smiles all round.

From playful interactions to shared moments of laughter, both children and staff loved every minute.

Our Clown Doctors continue to make a real difference, using creativity, humour, and connection to support children with additional needs and those in healthcare settings.

07/04/2026

Arts Care artist Paul Stevenson has been working with Four G Day Opportunities Service on something really special…

Together they’re creating a Crankie Box to tell their story, a unique blend of art, music, song, and storytelling that will come to life in a live performance this June. Crankie Theatre is a powerful way to connect people through shared stories, combining visual art with live performance to spark imagination, memories, and meaningful engagement.

Paul has designed and created a number of Crankies, and this traditional art form is quickly becoming a favourite across Arts Care projects, helping groups express who they are in creative and lasting ways.

We can’t wait to see this story unfold.

02/04/2026

Happy 🕰️

To celebrate 35 years of Arts Care, we’re doing a series of flashbacks to celebrate the charity’s vibrant history.

For the first post of this series, we’re looking back at founding chairman Ronnie Dunn, pictured with Arts Care’s artists in 2001.

Ronnie was the driving force behind Arts Care, and our wonderful team of artists, which has changed and grown over the years, remain absolutely paramount to the charity’s mission and impact today.

This is the first of many flashbacks across our social platforms to celebrate this incredible milestone. Keep your eyes peeled for more slices of Arts Care’s history!

20/03/2026

to Musician in Residence Brendan Popplestone in Carlisle Day Centre with volunteer musicians Niall Lynch, Paul Bell and Donal McCann.

This was part of a Traditional Music Tour of the Belfast Trust Day Centres that Brendan was undertaking in the lead up to St Patrick’s Day.

The service users and staff greatly enjoyed the music and fun!

18/03/2026

These sessions offer a relaxed and welcoming space to take part, try new creative approaches and enjoy the many benefits that engaging with the arts can bring.

Art can be such a powerful way to spark memories and connection - we’re looking forward to seeing the joy it brings to residents over the coming weeks!

A big thank you to Jill for the care and creativity she brings to not only these sessions, but others too!

16/03/2026

✨ Rediscover Your Creative Spark! ✨

Are you a member of the BHSCT staff or a registered volunteers!

Are you ready to turn a blank canvas into something extraordinary?

🎨 Join Arts Care Artist in Residence, Clare McComish, for an immersive, hands-on workshop exploring this year’s Hidden Talents theme: TRANSFORMATIONS

Forget "perfect" art - we’re diving into the world of mixed media.

You’ll learn to blend:
✔️ Vibrant tissue paper collage
✔️ Fluid watercolours
✔️ Textured layering techniques

Whether you’re a seasoned painter or haven't picked up a brush since primary school, it’s time to get creative.

All materials are provided and absolutely no experience is necessary!

🗓️When: Thursday, 19th March
⏰Time: 6pm-8pm
📍Where: Arts Care Studio, Knockbracken Healthcare Park

This workshop is the perfect springboard if you're considering submitting work to the Annual HIDDEN TALENTS Exhibition.

⭐The Challenge: Submit up to two artworks inspired by "Transformations”

⭐The Goal: Celebrate the incredible creativity found within our Trust community.

Not planning to exhibit? No problem! Come along just for the relaxation and creative escape.

Book your place at 👉 https://forms.office.com/e/CFzYV6H5Fk

13/03/2026

Knockbracken Hall came alive once again this week with the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day as Arts Care hosted our annual St. Patrick’s Tea Dance! 🎻

With a fantastic turnout from service users across Belfast Trust, the Arts Care Trad Band set the tone throughout with lively tunes and singalong Irish songs.

And we had fantastic dance performances by the ETC Club and songs by the Choir from Mount Oriel and Enler Day Centres, including a wonderful solo from Gertrude

We also presented Carmel Garvey our Dancer in Residence with flowers to mark her recent BEM Award in the King's Honours.

As ever the event was a true celebration of music, movement, and community! 🎶

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

12/03/2026

As the PRIME exhibition draws to a close, here is a video reflecting on a truly wonderful launch night.

Arts Care’s 15th annual PRIME exhibition celebrates the creativity of artists aged 60+, presented as part of the Here & Now Arts, Health and Wellbeing Festival for Older People. This year’s theme, Transformations, is showcased through an inspiring mix of artworks from artists across Northern Ireland.

Many thanks again to Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Julie Gilmour, for joining us on the night, and for her warm and engaging speech.

PRIME sits proudly within Here & Now, supported by the Public Health Agency (PHA), with a focus on promoting wellbeing and tackling social isolation and loneliness among older people through creative connection. The festival brings opportunities for people aged 60+ to take part in visual arts, crafts, music and singing, dance and movement, storytelling, and creative writing, led by Arts Care’s experienced arts and health facilitators.

Video by Penny McGovern

Creativity has no age limit, and this exhibition is a brilliant reminder of the power of the arts to connect, inspire, and strengthen well-being at every stage of life.

Public Health Agency

Address

Unit 1, GF, Belmont Office Park, 232-240 Belmont Road
Belfast
BT42AW

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+442890311122

Website

http://www.artscare.co.uk/

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