NATIONAL CAMPAIGN · 2026

Year of Culture
NHS
Last updated: 3 September, 2026

Beyond the Bedside: Meaningful Activity When a Patient Is Cared for in Bed

A practical toolkit full of adaptable ideas for bringing meaningful activity, choice, creativity and connection to individuals who are being cared for in bed.

Format: PDF

Visibility: Free for all

Introduction

Being cared for in bed can make a person’s world feel much smaller. This NAPA toolkit shows how meaningful activity can bring interests, relationships, conversation and everyday experiences back into the hospital day. It includes flexible bedside ideas that can be adapted around a person’s energy, preferences and clinical needs, from music and art to conversation, imagination and connection with the world beyond the ward.

About this resource

Category

NHS

Audience

Hospital

Topic

Activity Ideas Activity Planning Activity Provision Person-centred