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The Model will develop a Healing Arts Kit—a creative companion designed to spark imagination, create uplifting shared moments with families, and support faster recovery. The long-term aim is simple and urgent: to lift spirits, reduce isolation, and build deeper connection between patients, staff, and visiting families.
The Model’s partners are: Sligo University Hospital clinical team, Sligo University Hospital Research and Education Foundation; St. John’s Community Hospital Ward care team;  Artist Eamon O’Kane and supporting Sligo artists.
Throughout the process, the artist and creative panel will lead informal creative workshop sessions with patients, visiting family members, activities coordinators and care staff. The workshops will directly shape the development of a creative toolkit. It is envisaged that this new resource and accompanying workshops will embed creativity as a creative companion in the daily life of the ward, while actively supporting the wellbeing of both patients and staff.
The long-term outcome is a sustainable healing arts kit—a creative companion developed specifically for the medical ward at St John’s—that will be adaptable, practical, and easy to use by staff, patients, and visiting families. Recovery, wellbeing, social connection, emotional support, and resilience are all at the heart of its design and intended impact.