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Our National Health Stories

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of 19 hospital trusts across England participating in a major national project to celebrate staff stories through the arts as part of NHS 75.

Our National Health Stories has been developed from a programme of creative story gathering across all trusts in summer 2023.

Our National Health Stories

These stories have been curated into an extraordinary national performance for staff, developed by Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah and his creative team.

On 22 November 2023, staff from 19 hospital trusts shared their stories in an unprecedented day of performances in hospitals, through music, poetry, dance, theatre, visual art and more in their hospitals.

Live show

On 23 November 2023, NHS staff gathered for an incredible live show at Aviva Studios in Manchester. Staff from across England were joined on stage by a professional cast, performers and live band bringing their stories to life in a heartwarming, funny and poignant celebration of 75 years of the NHS

Video

You can watch a video from the show on YouTube - Oxford University Hospitals Chief People Officer Terry Roberts introduces the contribution of OUH staff at one hour and 54 minutes into the video:

Our National Health Stories finale - YouTube

Gallery

Kwame Kwei-Armah and his creative team helped NHS staff from across England bring their stories to life in a celebration of 75 years of the NHS.
  • Around 20 applauding performers on stage in matching T-shirts; man in casual suit at front, hand raised, looking at mobile phone
    Kwame Kwei-Armah and the performers of Our National Health Stories - Chris Payne
  • Tap-dancing man on stage with three dancers in NHS scrubs on either side
    NHS staff from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust perform at Our National Health Stories - Chris Payne
  • Crowd of NHS staff, some in unform, stand on a stage and receive applause; screen behind them displays their names
    Curtain call for Our National Health Stories - Chris Payne

OUH stories

At OUH we've run a range of projects to gather stories to celebrate our staff - from the OUH Poem and team poems co-created by staff with our Trust Poet Beth Calverley, to Left Arm or Right?, a stitched artwork by Harriet Riddell to celebrate all those who helped with the vaccination rollout across the Trust.

You may also have seen quotes from our estates and facilities staff on cafe tables - part of Caring Work, a project gathering stories from our Estates and Facilities staff - or Harriet with her bicycle powered sewing machine stitching portraits of staff with Pat Winslow capturing their stories in poetry:

'Our National Health Stories' arts event brings smiles to hospitals - Oxford Hospitals Charity

These projects are led by Artlink and funded by Oxford Hospitals Charity.
Last reviewed:27 November 2023

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