What's a London Borough of Culture Internship Like? Interview with Cultural Intern Sadie

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and the internship? 

My name is Sadie. I was born and raised in Wandsworth and a lot of my background is in the arts. I always knew I wanted to move back to Wandsworth. I was very lucky to come back while Wandsworth was London Borough of Culture. I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do, and the timing created a great opportunity. 

I’ve been interning with St George's Hospital Charity, predominantly within the arts team. I got paired with them; I’m very glad it happened because it’s an amazing company. The organisation focuses on community arts but in sector of arts and health, which is completely new to me. 

Can you tell me about your day-to-day work there?

My day‑to‑day work has been really varied. My line manager oversees participatory programming, which includes a team of resident artists who visit different wards to interact with patients and provide arts and music activities. I've shadowed some of them and seen the difference it makes. 

There’s also a collection officer whose job is to look after the hospital’s art collection, which is much bigger than I realised. She’s curated amazing exhibitions within the hospital. I also support across the charity, including one day per week with the grants team, helping with graphics, grant application summaries, and fundraising. 

Which skills have you developed during the internship, and what’s next for you? 

I’ve used been a mix of skills I already had and those I’ve learned. I’ve developed skills in production, understanding workshop mechanics, and all the skills from the non‑arts work — summarising grant applications, fundraising software, and understanding the charity as a whole.

I'm very excited about my next role: a curatorial fellowship called New Curators, based at the South London Gallery. I’ll be learning more about curation, choosing research areas, and putting on an exhibition. I’ve gained a lot of skills that I wouldn’t have otherwise in the internship, like collection management, installation, research, and thinking about spaces in a different way.

How have you seen the impact creativity and cultural awareness has made on patients and staff?

I’ve seen creativity and cultural awareness make a real difference for patients and staff at the hospital. Workshops across the hospital, including those at Christmas, made such an impact. For patients, it breaks up the day, takes their mind off scary or monotonous situations, and offers meaningful engagement with professional artists. Art also helps with wayfinding in the hospital.

We had Ken join us as our Culturally Mindful artist. The plan is for him to co‑curate a piece with a group of patients. He’s been great with patients, carrying out workshops at bedsides, and helping everyone feel like they can take part.

I’m really, really glad I got to do this. It’s been amazing.

Running from 15 September to 13 March, the London Borough of Culture Internship Programme gives young people aged 18 to 25 the opportunity to gain paid hands-on experience in the creative industries. Learn more about the scheme.

Arts St George’s (part of St George’s Hospital Charity) is the arts programme for St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. To find out more, follow them on socials @artsstgeorges, or visit Arts St George's - St George's Hospital Charity.