Bethlem Wellbeing Weekend
A curated programme of events inspired by the Six Ways to Wellbeing: be active, keep learning, give, connect, take notice and care for the planet. The Museum and Gallery will be celebrating wellbeing throughout the day, with a series of events that will include, practical workshops, guided tours of exhibitions and the hospital’s grounds, film, debates, drawing sessions and performances.
All events are free and places are designated on a first come, first served basis, unless stated otherwise.
Make your own Influencing Machine
Upstairs foyer
All day drop in.
Delve into your imagination and create a machine that influences others. Would you use your new device for the benefit of mankind or your own personal gain?…
Colouring our Collection
Downstairs foyer
All day drop in
Pick up a colouring in postcard featuring an image from our collection and give it to someone you care for. Pencils, crayons and pens will be available.
Five Minute Mindfulness
Permanent Exhibition
Starting times: 12.30, 15.30, 17.30
Learn a few simple relaxation exercises that you can adopt to your everyday life. Meeting point outside of the permanent exhibition. Please register your interest for this workshop here.
Walk through the Mind
Permanent Exhibition
Starting times: 14.00, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00
Take a trip through the Museum of the Mind with one of our tour guide volunteers, Maggie. Meeting point in front of the statues.
Canapés and Conversation: Explore the Night
Wolfson Room
18.00 – 19.00
Enjoy a glass of wine and some canapes whilst discussing “night” themed artworks from our reserve collections in a relaxed setting. Please register your interest for this event here.
KinoVan
Museum and Gallery Entrance
Starting times: 18.15, 19.15
A real treat from London Screen Archives, the KinoVan is a pop up cinema that will show two films relating to Bethlem’s long history, including Wounded Soldiers Day, which took place 100 years ago in 1916. Taking place outside of the museum, why not treat yourself to a hot drink available from the museum whilst you are viewing!
Visionary Madness
Boardroom
Starting times: 19.00, 20.00
Join our Museum Director Caroline Smith, and find out more about the imposing installation “The Air Loom” in the recently refurbished historic boardroom.
A Walk through History
Temporary Exhibition
Starting times: 18.30, 19.30
Join our guest curator Kendra Bean for a tour of our temporary exhibition “The Weight of History.” Meet at exhibition entrance.
Shaping your Mind
Wolfson Room
19.30 – 20.30
Inspired by 18th century patient James Tilly Matthews’ “Influencing Machine” come and explore what influences your world through making, drawing and discussion. During this time we will also be offering one-on-one five minute mindfulness sessions, learning how to "retreat" from the modern world.
Part of Museums at Night.
Image: "Mandala I" by Emily Tallmadge (c.1930) LDBTH177