LULLABIES FOR BABIES

Yesterday Inscape had the first ‘Lullabies for Little’uns’ Pop Up session on the Neonatal Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (NPICU) at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH).

Inscape musicians Shelley Cusiter and Tiff Norchick played peaceful lullabies to babies, their families and staff. Thank you to Nurse Unit Manager Julie Doran, Team Leader Sam (pictured below), Karen Ford for her support, and all the dedicated NPICU staff who worked this morning.

Feedback from everyone was extremely positive; shown by plenty of smiles, verbal expressions of gratitude, and lots of thumbs up. Thank you Shelley and Tiff for the gift of your soothing harmonies to create such a relaxing environment. #inscapetas #inscapetasmania #musicinhospitals

THE INSCAPE EXPERIENCE BY KIM FOALE

Born under the shadow of Kunanyi. A Tribute for Kim Foale by Alyssa Bermudez

A written piece by Kim Foale, a wonderful person who recently experienced the ‘Life-Scape’ illustration program with Inscape artist Alyssa Bermudez and the Instrumental program with our musician Will Parsell.

Hospitals are hard on the soul, they are noisy and busy, depressing and lonely. Pain is not the best bedfellow, but hidden amongst the chaos are bubbles of pure magic.

My ward neighbour had a lovely chatty visitor the other day, I assumed he was a nephew or grandson until he popped his head around the curtain, guitar in hand and asked if I minded if he played a song. PLAY was my response, please play, and for a brief minute or two our small ward was filled with music and lightness and magic.

This was such an unexpected gift of beauty on what had been a very hard morning, a gift that sustained me throughout that day.

On Wednesday, the musician popped back in to see my neighbour again, but she was busy with family, so he asked if I minded if he sat with me. Will the muso was from Inscape Tasmania a not for profit that brings art and music to long stay patients in the hospital. We had an interesting chat about all the things and when my neighbour was free he played another song. The power of music can not be dismissed, the power of music in this place is tripled. In hospital your world shrinks so much that small things have an enormous impact. 
As is often the case with me, glorious coincidences occur. My friend Colina is a nurse here at the royal and Colina had contacted Inscape to see if I could have a visit from an artist to help me get through the rest of my time here. 
The coordinator came to see me and asked if I would be interested in a ‘Life-Scape’ postcard thing or something something. I was really tired by that time and wasn’t really sure what the artist would be doing. 
Yesterday my ‘A Team’ extended my stay, 24 hours more seemed a very very very lot of hours more to endure away from home, but realistically only a small price to pay to avoid another return. 
In the middle of tearily processing a Saturday release the artist arrived, Alyssa Bermudez @bermudezbahama 
We had a lovely chat while Alyssa gathered enough creative information to create a work for me. This work. This gloriously fabulously special work that has given my spirit such a lift.

OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT MUSIC IN HOSPITALS

Pictured is Inscape musician, Will Parsell with Marion Hayes, who both featured recently in an ABC feature about Inscape https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-05/art-therapy-trial-helping-hospital-patients/11077120

Announcing the launch of our new funding campaign for Instrumental; a unique Tasmanian art program that is making a tangible difference to patients, families and health professionals in our hospitals. We would invite you to view the campaign which is registered with the Australian Cultural Fund, find out more about Inscape and our programs, and would welcome a tax deductible donation if you have capacity.

Instrumental is delivered by Inscape, a not for profit organisation established in 2015 following a successful pilot project. Since then Inscape, which began on one ward, is now operating across the entire Royal Hobart Hospital, as well as the Repatriation Hospital, Breast Screen Tasmania and Milbrook Rise Hospital in New Norfolk. The demand for our program is fantastic, however, we need to find the funds to support this demand. As a not for profit we rely entirely on donations, philanthropy and funding. 

Every dollar that is donated, directly funds a Tasmanian musician to be in Tasmanian hospitals, working one on one or in groups, to improve the experience and the environment for everyone. We know that Art and Music is so important for physical and mental health and the increase in demand for Inscape programs is testament to the value and support of our programs. Dr Anna Johnston is one of the many health professionals who has witnessed first hand the impact of the Inscape programs.

"I think this is a marvellous program. I am a doctor at the hospital and can see how much patients appreciate this. Many are scared, lonely, bored and in pain. The chance to enjoy, make and appreciate art and music is an incredible gift. I hope when I am on receiving end - in the bed and not beside it you are there for me too."

Stay in touch via the Inscape Tasmania Facebook page and our new Instagram account which both give you weekly insights into the interaction between our Arts Health Facilitator, the professional artists and musicians and the patients, families and health professionals.

Share the campaign with your colleagues, friends and family and please contact us if you’d like further information.