Arts on Prescription

Artist led courses for adults living with health challenges.

What is Arts on Prescription?

FREE arts workshops aimed to improve health and wellbeing.

Our Arts on Prescription (AoP) programme offers local access to high quality artist-led art activities in a calm, supportive environment, free of charge to participants. Through focusing on hands-on art activities we provide relaxation and distraction, giving participants personal space away from day to day life. You will be exploring themes of belonging, identity and connection through guided engagement with artworks from the Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) Art Collection and local heritage. Each weekly session combines gentle discussion, creative activity and shared reflection. You will be supported to respond to artwork in ways that feel meaningful to you, with no prior artistic experience required.

Above AoP participant artwork: Lydia Tabusa – body scan exercise collage.

How can Arts on Prescription help?

Improved wellbeing through creative engagement and social interaction
Increased confidence in self-expression
A stronger sense of connection to place, identity and community
Opportunities to engage with local heritage in accessible, personal ways

What happens?

When we receive your referral we will send an email to invite you to attend one of our Arts on Prescription programmes, which will be held face-to-face at a local arts venue in the MK6 postcode region.

We currently offer the following Programmes:

︎AoP Art:

Each programme is made up of 6 weekly 2 hour art workshops.

Workshops are small groups of up to 10 people led by professional artists and take place in local arts centres. Each session follows a consistent and supportive structure, including guided artwork encounters and low-pressure creative activities such as collage, drawing and collaborative making.

Good to know...

All sessions are friendly and welcoming. In the workshops we don’t ask you to talk about why you are attending but you will be required to complete evaluations aimed at measuring the health benefits of participating.

When is the next course?

Title: Belonging: Finding Place, Identity and Connection through Art

Duration: 6 weeks

Dates:
Tuesday 12th May to Tuesday 16th June 2026

Times: 10am - 12 pm

Frequency: weekly course

Location: Eaglestone Activity Centre, MK6 5BZ

Booking: Essential

How can I take part?

Arts on Prescription is available on a referral basis for adults with depression, stress and anxiety who are living in the MK6 postcode area*.

You can ask your GP, a community support worker or health care provider if they think it would benefit you. They will need to complete a referral form or you can self-refer if you prefer.

︎ Download the referral form here then complete and email the form to referrals@artsforhealthmk.org.uk

How is it Funded?

With thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players, we are preserving our ‘New City Art Collection’ and reimagining its future with local communities through an ambitious conservation and development project at Milton Keynes University Hospital.

︎ Click here to find out more about this project.

Contact us:

︎ referrals@artsforhealthmk.org.uk.

︎ or 01908 996124

*If you live outside of the MK6 postcode region, you may be interested in joining one of our Art Clubs that are held at various locations around Milton Keynes.

︎Looking for Activities to try at home whilst we process your referral?
Have you tried our online activities yet? There is plenty to explore from home including photography ideas, painting tips and music to listen to. Explore here

Current Workshops

Arts on Prescription

Arts on Prescription

We currently offer the following Programmes:

︎AoP Art:

*If you live outside of the MK6 postcode region, you may be interested in joining one of our Art Clubs that are held at various locations around Milton Keynes.

Other Current Activities: