Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts has been shortlisted to be a PTSB Ireland Community Partner for 2025, which would mean significant support and a huge injection of funds for our programmes, but we need your vote to get us over the line.
Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts is widely recognised among the community for its positive impact on patients and their families, bringing comfort and joy through the arts, and reminding people that beauty still exists, even in the midst of some of the most difficult times in their lives. “The music built my heart up again – I feel ready for anything now.” (Patient, Oncology Ward, UHW)
At local level, Réalta manages our extensive Waterford Healing Arts programme, bringing music, art, creative writing and storytelling to patients in hospital and other healthcare settings to lift spirits and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families who are going through the incredibly difficult experience of illness. At national level, we provide training, mentoring and advice in this specialised area of arts + health, in addition to boundless information and resources via our website www.artsandhealth.ie We are an independent, registered charity and have been in operation for over 30 years.
The PTSB Community Fund provides funding to community organisations that are working hard to make a difference in Ireland. Réalta is delighted to have been shortlisted for the South and East region in Ireland. The two charities that receive the most votes in each region will become PTSB’s Community Fund Partners for the year.
Please cast your vote by following this link: https://bit.ly/3CYRDl0 (Go to ‘Region South and East’ and select ‘Réalta trading as Arts + Health Ireland’)
Just one vote could make all the difference.
As a registered charity, the funding from PTSB would greatly help Réalta to continue our Waterford Healing Arts programmes on the ground, our resource website www.artsandhealth.ie and our national drive to ease the burden of illness and ensure the benefits of arts + health reach all patients throughout Ireland.
Voting closes on Friday, 14 March, at 6.00pm.
Thank you for your support and please spread the word.
Additional info: Here are just a couple of examples of the impact of our work, so you can see where your vote will go:
“Please pass on our sincere thanks to all the team for the joy they brought to Dad (and ourselves) during his time on Oak Ward… It enabled us to make some wonderful memories during Dad’s final weeks and for that we are eternally grateful.” (Family, Oak Ward, South East Palliative Care Centre)
“The joy music brings to me is unreal. This has made my day. Thank you.” (Patient, Palliative Care)
“Can you pass on my thanks to everyone involved in the music. It brought a normality to a lot of patients who are in hospital for long periods and brings them relief, both socially and psychologically. It would be great if you could provide this on a more regular basis. I understand the (financial) constraints, but the benefits of being ‘normal’ for a short space of time greatly aids the mood and recovery of patients on our ward.” (Clinical Nurse Manager, Oncology Ward, UHW)
ENDS
