Restoration Through Creativity
Creativity can help to express emotions and enable individuals to process what they are feeling. In October 2021, we launched our Restore Project, a multi-faceted creativity project for healthcare workers.

Restore Project
Doctors in Distress is forming an exciting collaboration with The Bigger Picture and NHS Practitioner Health to launch the Restore Project, a space for all healthcare workers to find creativity, contemplation and connection through different creative spaces.
The project will consist of four dedicated creative spaces, The Write Space, The Seen Space, The Heard Space and The Still Space and will run from 2021-2022.
The Write Space
The Write Space launched in October 2021 with an exciting webinar featuring author Michael Rosen and Dr Rachel Clarke in conversation with former MP and Doctors in Distress Trustee, Anna Soubry, speaking about how expressive writing has helped them heal through various challenging life events. They were joined by Doctors in Distress Chair, Dame Clare Gerada and Dr Katie Amiel from The Bigger Picture. Watch the webinar here.
To follow, in November 2021 we hosted expressive writing groups for healthcare workers in partnership with the Royal Literary Fund. These groups were phenomenally received and we are thrilled to be running a second course of groups this February. Find more information and sign up here.
The Seen Space
The Seen Space took the form of a photography exhibition in partnership with The Royal Photographic Society at the NHS Practitioner Health, The Wounded Healer Conference on the 17th -18th March 2022 at the Royal College of GPs.
We called for any healthcare worker to submit a photograph that represented where they found their peace during the pandemic. The top photos (selected by an expert panel) were displayed at the conference. Please see all submissions below.
The Heard Space
Doctors in Distress was delighted to showcase an original play, written by award-winning playwright, Brian Daniels, at the 2022 The Wounded Healer Conference to create The Heard Space part of the project. Doctors in Distress along with Brian hope to tour the play around the UK throughout 2022/2023, with proceeds going towards Doctors in Distress.
‘It’s not just doctors who are in distress but particularly during the pandemic, all of those engaged in professional healthcare have endured the sharp end of professional and personal pressure. Where can they go for emotional support? A new play, inspired by Dame Clare Gerada’s book, ‘Beneath the White Coat’ will be an opportunity to explore, through a new piece of drama, the personal stories and journeys of a group of healthcare professionals as they struggle to keep their personal and professional lives on course.’
Cast List:
SOPHIE ~ Sophie Turner
GEOFF ~ Brian Daniels
LOTTIE ~ Liz Hume
BARBARA ~ Martina McClements
GERALDINE ~ Martina McClements
SAM ~ Marie Fortune
JACK ~ Jack Flammiger
PRIYA ~ Ulrika Krishnamurti