Evaluation partnership with The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The ROH NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist orthopaedic units in Europe. SDHRC is excited about this new partnership with the Trust investigating an arts-based approach to sharing real-life experiences of disability among its staff.

Beyond the Stigma was an exhibition about NHS staff, launched in 2021. Using film and photography it shared their experiences of disability in their workplace. In contrast to historic portrayals of disability in the arts that entrenched stereotypes of disabled people, this creative approach to disability intended to move beyond stigma, to promote a culture of openness, respect, and compassion.

We are aiming to detail the long-term impact of Beyond the Stigma on staff, and how arts-based approaches to sharing personal experiences of disability can contribute to disability understandings and the wellbeing of disabled people in NHS workplaces and beyond.