CW+, the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, recently hosted a memorable evening of Arts for All activities at Wellcome Collection. Visitors joined in a range of performances including storytelling and dance, immersive puppetry and music and explored ‘Jason and the Adventure of 254’, a free exhibition by artist Jason Wilsher-Mills. The event was part of Wellcome Collection’s Perspective Tours series, in which experts in connected fields are invited to bring their unique perspective to its exhibitions.

Wilsher-Mills’ exhibition which runs until 12 January 2025, is a joyful exploration of the body, drawing on his experience of becoming disabled as a child. Reimagining the gallery space as a hospital ward, Wilsher-Mills has installed sculptures, illustrations and interactive dioramas that challenge cultural and societal perceptions surrounding disability, medicine and the human body.

Everyone attending the special event was invited to take part in creative activities throughout the evening, inspired by artists from the CW+ Arts for All programme, including Pluck, who create mini theatre shows using music and puppetry; the ChelWest Singers, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s staff choir; and Akademi, a South Asian dance company.

Christina Peumalu, Head of Participation at CW+, said: ‘We would like to say a big thank you to Wellcome Collection for inviting us to take our Arts in Health programme out of the hospital and into an art gallery for all to see.

‘Wilsher-Mills’s exhibition, and his appreciation of the benefits of arts in health, was a perfect fit to showcase artists from our programme and we are very grateful for his support. The evening provided us with the opportunity to give people a glimpse into the work we do at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which involves bringing a daily dose of music, performance, and creative activities into the hospital environment, using art as a tool for healing.’

Trust staff members also had a private tour of Wellcome Collection before the event, visiting the various galleries and library.