Publish date: 7 January 2026
A new heritage-inspired project is helping patients at our hospital find comfort, conversation and connection during their hospital stay.
Together with the National Museum of the Royal Navy, we have launched a new collection of HMS Victory-themed Chatterboxes, specially designed to spark conversation, laughter and reminiscence at the bedside.
The initiative is the result of a two-year partnership between the museum and the Trust, supported by National Lottery players through the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance (CHWA) and the Group for Education in Museums (GEM).
Originally piloted in 2021 on dementia wards during the pandemic, the Chatterboxes use photographs, replica objects, facts and creative activities inspired by the museum’s world-famous flagship HMS Victory. Each item is designed to prompt memories and conversation, helping patients feel more at ease, engaged and connected during their hospital stay.
Building on the success of the pilot, the new Chatterboxes have been co-created by museum teams, hospital staff and patients, and will now become a permanent feature across both adult and children’s wards.
For adult wards, each Chatterbox focuses on a different theme - A Great Day Out, Meet the Crew, Love Box, An Artist’s Muse and 100 Years in the Harbour offering a starting point for storytelling, memory sharing and social connection. For younger patients, a bespoke “Chattership” - a miniature version of HMS Victory transforms playtime into a voyage of discovery, complete with sailor’s hats, sound buttons, and “Nelson the Bear” ready for 1805-style doctors’ rounds.
Jo Valentine, Community Producer at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, said: “We know that engaging with our collections and stories can be a real boost to health and happiness but sometimes there are barriers to people accessing them in person. By bringing the museum into the hospital, these Chatterboxes create joyful and meaningful moments of connection. We’re so proud to hand them over to the Trust and look forward to seeing the difference they make to patients and staff.”
Andrew Baines, Executive Director of Museum Operations & Curator of HMS Victory, National Museum of the Royal Navy, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to hand over these Chatterboxes to Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. They represent the very best of what can happen when heritage and healthcare come together - creativity, compassion and collaboration. We’re immensely grateful to National Lottery players for making this work possible through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and to the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance and GEM for their guidance and partnership. So many people from across both organisations have contributed their time, expertise and enthusiasm, and it’s inspiring to see HMS Victory’s story continue to make a difference to people’s health and wellbeing today.”
Michelle Lobo, Family Liaison Service Manager, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: “This has been a wonderful collaboration. Our teams are excited to share the Chatterboxes with patients and can already picture the smiles, engagement and laughter they will inspire.”
Laura White, Head of Patient Experience, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said: “The Chatterboxes will be a valuable tool in helping us build meaningful connections with patients. By sparking conversation and encouraging engagement, they support emotional wellbeing and play an important part in recovery.”
Frances Usher-Smith, Dementia Matron, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, added: “For patients living with dementia, these resources create opportunities for therapeutic and familiar interaction, helping reduce anxiety and distress in what can be an unfamiliar environment.”
Chloe and Kelly, Health Play Specialists, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. added: “The Chatterbox Ship is a valuable resource for children and young people within our paediatric unit. Jo has worked tirelessly to ensure that the children's voices were central to its design, creating a space that offers a unique opportunity to explore local history. Through interactive exhibits, storytelling activities and educational games, the Chatterbox Ship brings history to life. It also provides crucial distraction and fosters opportunities for normalising play whilst in hospital."
