PATIENTS on the Children's Ward at Withybush Hospital are benefiting from an exciting new arts programme developed through a collaboration between Arts Care Gofal Celf and Waterford Healing Arts Trust. Working closely with hospital play specialist Jackie Broadhurst, professional artist Justine Johnson will be leading art sessions over a 10-week period, including the introduction of the ART CART - a brightly transformed medicine trolley bringing materials onto the ward for different art sessions. Arts Care Gofal Celf has been facilitating specialist arts projects in West Wales since 1987 and has recently been working with Ireland's leading hospital arts project based in Waterford Regional Hospital. This has been supported by Artswave, a project funded by the European Union Interreg scheme to encourage cultural exchange between West Wales and South East Ireland. The workshops follow the visit to the ward of Irish artist Boyer Phelan, who worked alongside Carmarthenshire-based Justine and introduced the concept of the Art Cart which has been a key element in the success of the programme in Waterford. Arts Care Gofal Celf director, Chris Ryan, said: "It is now widely accepted that the arts make a valuable contribution to the well-being and vitality of our society. Feeling better is an essential part of getting better, and we are delighted to be part of this exciting partnership which has enabled us to offer children at Withybush the opportunity to participate in sessions facilitated by experienced and talented professional artists from Ireland and Wales." Hospital play specialist Jackie Broadhurst is in no doubt that the project is having a positive impact. "The children and young people are really enjoying the art sessions which are providing a valuable addition to our play service," she said.