University Hospital Waterford, in partnership with Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts, is just one of the many Irish hospitals involved in the powerful Menu of Poems project. Poetry will be distributed this November throughout a number of Irish hospital wards, waiting rooms and other healthcare settings for patients, visitors and staff to enjoy.
The poetry, circulated on trays during mealtimes, aims to provide comfort, inspiration, and a moment of reflection for patients in particular. Organisers expect over 10,000 people to engage with the specially curated poetry for this year’s programme, which includes four poems by renowned Irish and international poets, Joy Harjo, Eva Bourke, Jane Clarke and Linda McGrory. This year’s selection was curated by poet, Jane Clarke.
Launched in 2008, the Menu of Poems has positively impacted the lives of both patients and healthcare professionals across Ireland. It is produced by Saolta Arts on behalf of Arts and Health Coordinators Ireland, with support from Poetry Ireland and HSE Health Promotion and Improvement.
Arts and Health as a practice provides enriching art experiences for patients and individuals in healthcare settings. These experiences enhance patient journeys by reducing stress, fostering connections, and brightening up people’s journeys in healthcare environments.
Claire Meaney, Director of Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts, said, “The Menu of Poems is not just about sharing poetry; it’s about creating moments of joy and reflection in the midst of challenging times. We have delivered this initiative many times and the feedback is always incredible. We know that art has the power to provide solace and support, and we are excited to bring this initiative to patients, staff, and visitors in many hospitals across Ireland this November.”
For more information on the Menu of Poems project and if your hospital or healthcare facility would like to take part email saoltaarts@hse.ie
Downloadable poems and recordings available at: https://saoltaarts.com/stories/menu-of-poems/
Réalta encompasses the national resource website artsandhealth.ie and the extensive Waterford Healing Arts programme, and is funded by the Arts Council and the HSE. Arts and health programmes comprise a range of arts experiences, presented in healthcare settings, for the benefit of health service users, healthcare staff and artists. This expanding field of work fosters creativity, wellbeing and access to the arts and is based on partnership between the artists, arts organisations and those working in healthcare and/or the wider community. Further information about all aspects of arts and health work, including case studies, is available on www.artsandhealth.ie
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