A creative boost for people with sickle cell

A creative boost for people with sickle cell

27 April 2026

Since September 2025, our arts team has organised workshops led by artist Aida Silvestri in collaboration with artist Laurel Brumant-Palmer, whose work is shaped by her lived experiences of sickle cell.

Together, they deliver drop‑in photography workshops for patients attending the clinic at the Garry Weston Centre, where participants can have a professional portrait taken by Aida, decorate it with dried flowers, and take home a framed artwork that celebrates their identity.

To date, our arts team has supported two events for adult patients with sickle cell and a tour for young people moving into adult services, helping them feel more comfortable and confident in the new clinical environment.

This work forms part of a wider sickle cell support project, led by Dr Steven Okoli and Camelia Vladescu and funded by NIHR and Genomics England.

The project was built in collaboration with patients, patient advocates, and community representatives, and provides pan-London educational events, in‑clinic engagements, and opportunities to learn about research in a relaxed, supportive setting.

To learn more, follow the Imperial Haem Team Instagram.