Art and Design Research Volunteer

CW+ Art and Design Research Volunteer

About CW+

CW+ is the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Our vision is to enable every patient to receive outstanding care, in our Trust’s community
of more than 1.5 million people and beyond.

Our mission is to work with our Trust to create world-class facilities, drive innovation and
research, and enhance patient and staff wellbeing. Using our expertise in partnership
building, arts in health and healthcare innovation, we develop creative solutions to support
an evolving NHS.

We are proud pioneers in the field of Arts in Health. Built in 1993, Chelsea and Westminster
Hospital was the first hospital in the UK to lay an arts and design manifesto as part of its
build plans, briefing architects to include artworks in public and clinical areas, and having an
acquisitions and commissioning policy from its inception.

About the CW+ Arts in Health programme

Our pioneering Arts in Health programme focuses on the link between human health and
the environment, building on the robust body of evidence that outstanding design and
engagement with the arts can improve physical and mental wellbeing. We hold a collection
of more than 2,000 works of art and digital installations, many of which are on display
around our hospitals for all to enjoy. And our Arts for All programme brings daily music,
performance and creative activities into the wards, using art as a tool for healing.

Drawing on 30 years of expertise, we create environments that encourage patient recovery
and support staff in delivering the best possible care. Our Design and Environment
programme works with renowned partners who specialise in health, technology and
environmental design, to address the factors which create the optimum healing
environment. These include temperature, lighting, acoustics, air quality, closeness to nature,
wayfinding, privacy and the arts and technology.

Underpinning all of our work is an objective to grow a robust body of evidence that clearly
demonstrates the impact on patient outcomes, care delivery and cost effectiveness of these
programmes and enhancements.

Become an Art and Design Research Volunteer

This is an exciting opportunity to support the research and evaluation of the Arts in Health
programme. We are looking for an individual with an interest in arts in health, design, and
research or evaluation methods, who is looking to gain experience in data collection and
analysis in a busy healthcare setting. Duties may include:

•  Working directly with patients and staff to collect feedback on art and design

projects, using qualitative research methods such as surveys, interviews and focus
groups.

•  Assisting with the analysis of feedback data in both qualitative and quantitative

forms, and helping turn this data into useful reports and presentations.

•  Contributing to the development of new approaches to capturing feedback, such as

creative arts-based methods.

•  Assisting with the delivery of the Arts in Health programme and activities where

relevant.

•  Supporting colleagues, contributing to a happy and productive, values-driven

working environment.

•  Championing CW+’s mission and maintaining the highest standards of

professionalism and integrity.

Person specification

The Arts for All volunteer will have good research and IT skills.

•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills
•  Excellent project support skills and strong organisational skills
•  Professional and excellent interpersonal skills
•  Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office
•  An effective team worker with energy, initiative and flexibility
•  Comfortable working in a hospital/clinical environment
•

Interest in the arts and health

What does this role offer?

•  The opportunity to learn more about the CW+ Arts and Health programme, and the
impact that art and design can have on patients and staff within a busy healthcare
setting

•  Training opportunities – the chance to work with our wide network of specialists and

experts to develop skills in arts and health research and evaluation.

•  The  chance  to  meet  new  people  –  working  directly  with  our  Art  and  Environment

team, as well as other teams and the CW+ Head of Impact and Evaluation

•  Out-of-pocket expenses will be covered, including travel to and from the hospital.

Where?

The role will be based at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and occasionally at West
Middlesex University Hospital. There is a free shuttle bus from Chelsea to West Middlesex if
transportation is required.

When?

Due to the training and induction required, we are looking for someone who could commit
at least one working day per week for a minimum of six months, and who would become a
key part of our team. CW+ is committed to helping our volunteers thrive and develop in
their role, and ensuring we provide exciting opportunities, training and support.

If you are interested in working with us at CW+ or would like to find out more, please send
an email to arts@cwplus.org.uk with a short covering letter expressing your interest in the
volunteer position, your arts experience and your availability to volunteer.