It’s that time of the week again! This week’s Staff Spotlight is Katie, the Arts Project Co-Ordinator for our amazing Arts for Health programme! From Art to Marmite, this spotlight has it all! We caught up with Katie to ask her some pressing questions!

What is your favourite thing about working in the Arts for Health programme?

There’s a few, I can’t possibly choose one! It’s a privilege seeing first-hand the significant impact arts projects have on patients, families and their recovery journey. Young people are absolutely amazing and I’m always in awe of their strength. I work with a variety of extraordinary artists who deliver extremely versatile projects. I have an incredible manager, Vicky who really respects me as an artist and supports my visions an input for the programme. The super-power of creativity can never be underestimated, and I am so proud to be part of this outstanding charity and help weave artistic fun throughout Alder Hey.

Tell us something that not many people know about you?

Outside of Alder Hey I co-run a project with my friend Amie called Happiness for the Many. Creatively we bring people together to celebrate themselves and friendship. Amie and I got to spend a week with Davina McCall in Cyprus over the summer for a campaign celebrating friendship and highlighting the importance of its impact on wellbeing. It was pure joy!

What do you enjoy the most about art?

I enjoy that (admittedly or not) absolutely everyone is an artist and I think we are all born creative. I enjoy that art will always be there to try, at any age, it’s not going anywhere. Art feels like a half-written recipe where you have to trust your instinct but also add in some extra bits and see what happens. Art is exciting and life should feel like the same way, the joy of the unknown it brings. Growing up art was so important to me. It was my retreat and has certainly helped me through difficult times throughout my life. I am very grateful to art for being such a constant in my life. Art to me is freedom.

How would you describe Alder Hey in three words?

Determined, generous and visionary.

What is one thing you can’t live without?

My hilarious daughter Rosie (and marmite, not sure which I rely on most for a positive morning mindset – depends on the day!).