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Resources for Workshop Facilitators

Are you an occupational therapist, ward manager or art facilitator looking to run a Digital Art School workshop? Here you’ll find our archive of instructional videos and downloadable resources to help guide you to facilitate art workshops for service users.

Welcome to Hospital Rooms Digital Art School

Hear directly from our Co-Founder, Tim A Shaw, about the art supplies included in the 2024 programme. We can’t wait to see your creations!

Resources & Guides

Download our risk assessment template to complete and share with colleagues on your ward or in your mental health service.

Download PDF

Here you can find a poster to print out with space for you to add in the date and time you’ll be hosting your workshop. Print this out and display it in and around your ward or hospital site to engage more service users.

Download PDF

Inside your box, you will find a set of customisable posters for each workshop. These posters make it easy to schedule and advertise your sessions. Here’s how to use them effectively:

1. Add Workshop Details:
– Fill in the date, time, and location for each session on the posters.

2. Display the Posters:
– Place the posters in high-traffic areas on the wards to ensure they are seen by as many people as possible.

3. Announce During Meetings:
– Mention the upcoming sessions during community meetings to spread the word.

4. Encourage Participation:
– Remind everyone that no prior experience is needed to join the workshops, making them accessible to all.

Download PDF

When hosting a Digital Art School session, feel free to adapt the format to best suit your environment and the participants you have invited.

Example Session Format

Welcome and Introduction:

    • Greet everyone warmly and offer them a drink.
    • Remind participants that the sessions are designed to be enjoyable and suitable for all skill levels.
    • Encourage participants to take breaks whenever needed, or suggest a scheduled break where you can pause the video.

Setting Up the Room

Consider the following tips to create an ideal setting for your DAS session:

  • Materials Preparation:
    • Lay out all the necessary materials before participants arrive to ensure a smooth start.
  • Equipment Setup:
    • Decide on your display method. A projector is ideal, but a laptop or iPad can work just as well. Ensure the screen is visible to all participants.
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Instructional videos

Getting Started

Introducing the Digital Art School Materials Box

Tim describes what you can expect to receive in your Digital Art School materials box.

Watch

How to Set up the Space to Host your Workshop

Top tips from Tim on how to prepare the space you’ll be working in.

Watch

Create a Poster to Promote your Workshop

Nafeesa presents the workshop poster template which you can use to promote your workshop.

Watch

Introducing the Digital Art School Materials Box

Tim describes what you can expect to receive in your Digital Art School materials box.

Watch

How to Set up the Space to Host your Workshop

Top tips from Tim on how to prepare the space you’ll be working in.

Watch

Create a Poster to Promote your Workshop

Nafeesa presents the workshop poster template which you can use to promote your workshop.

Watch

Technical Skills

How to use Acrylic Ink

Tim explains how to use the acrylic inks that have been included in the Digital Art School box

WATCH

How to use Watercolour

Tim explains how to use the watercolours that have been included in the Digital Art School box

WATCH

How to Tear Paper without Scissors

No scissors? No problem! Check out these top tips for tearing paper neatly by simply using a ruler and a dash of water!

Watch

Pencil Exercises (Draw and Shade a Sphere)

Richard demonstrates how to draw and shade a sphere, sharing tips on keeping your hands and wrists flexible for drawing.

Watch

Pencil Exercises (Draw and Shade a Cube)

Richard shows how to draw and shade a cube, offering tips on warming up and keeping your wrists and hands relaxed.

Watch

Accessible Videos (British Sign Language)

How to Tear Paper without Scissors

No scissors? No problem! Check out these top tips for tearing paper neatly by simply using a ruler and a dash of water!

Watch

Pencil Exercises (Draw and Shade a Sphere)

Richard demonstrates how to draw and shade a sphere, sharing tips on keeping your hands and wrists flexible for drawing.

Watch

Pencil Exercises (Draw and Shade a Cube)

Richard shows how to draw and shade a cube, offering tips on warming up and keeping your wrists and hands relaxed.

Watch

Create a Poster to Promote your Workshop

Nafeesa presents the workshop poster template which you can use to promote your workshop.

Watch

Introducing the Digital Art School Materials Box

Tim describes what you can expect to receive in your Digital Art School materials box.

Watch

How to Set up the Space to Host your Workshop

Top tips from Tim on how to prepare the space you’ll be working in.

Watch

We all know that art is not everyone’s forte, but the videos have enabled staff that would not describe themselves as artistic to confidently lead sessions. Seeing the process has enabled us to engage service users in art that may not previously have engaged with it.

—Oliver Soriano, Chief Nursing Officer, Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

The sessions available are wonderful and support the running of our art groups in the inpatient setting. We grade these to suit the service users due to their abilities, it gives us the scope to trial new art projects with our client group.

—Aimee Greene, Senior Occupational Therapist, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

I have been working with patients using the workshops to bring some creativity and colour to the ward. These workshops have been successful when patients are feeling low. They do make a difference.

—Alison Ingham, Recovery Worker, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

Patients come and go but the first thing I introduce them to is Digital Art School. They all find the group calming and relaxing and always look forward to the next class.

—Yvonne Ellis, Occupational Therapist, Woodleigh Community Independent Unit, Croydon

Explore the Archive

We want to hear from you!

As a workshop facilitator or as a receiver of the box of arts materials, we ask that you share your feedback with us as you commence your journey with us through the Digital Art School. Your feedback will help us to continue to host our public programme for years to come, keeping all of the free workshop content and boxes of arts materials meaningful, accessible, and enjoyable for all.

Submit feedback
A person with a beard, wearing a black beanie, pink hoodie, and brown overalls, is seated at a cluttered desk, engrossed in drawing or painting. The background features shelves filled with books, art supplies, and colourful decorations.
John Booth, Digital Art School. Photo © Hospital Rooms.