Hopes and ambitions for a brighter future through art at new mental health wards
A hospital project in Norwich is aiming to create “lasting shifts in mental health settings” with world-class artworks.
The charity Hospital Rooms is working with internationally-renowned local and national artists, patients and staff to create 15 major artworks for the new Rivers Centre, which is currently under construction at Hellesdon Hospital.
Hospital Rooms Senior Project Curator Tim Steer said: “We’re thrilled and immensely proud to be working with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust on what is our most innovative project to date.”
Hospital Rooms is a charity which creates museum-quality artwork for mental health hospitals through a process of co-production and collaboration to transform environments, culture and experience.
The Hellesdon project also involves Norwich University of the Arts, Sainsbury Centre and Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery.
Debs Agar, lead occupational therapist at Hellesdon, said: “I have worked at Hellesdon Hospital for more than 11 years and it has been so refreshing to be involved in this project to create a better environment for the people we support. It has been a pleasure to see the collaborative work between the artists coming in and our patients and staff at Hellesdon, especially with everyone inspiring and motivating each other to produce quality art.”
The project has included 70 art workshops across wards, services and has helped reach hundreds of people from diverse populations and people who have previously been marginalised and under-represented in service design and delivery. These sessions will inspire the artists’ final installations.
One in-patient said: “I am keen to come back and see that my small contribution today will have a lasting impact into the future on the care for people who may, like me, experience a difficult and dark chapter in their lives.”
And a carer added: “I found the opportunity to take part was like being given the permission I needed to have some time just for me and not feel selfish for doing so. It was a lovely set-up with the staff showing such empathy and compassion for those who attended. They encouraged discussions around mental health without judgement.”
Dr Sophie Bagge, who is leading the project for NSFT, said: “The workshops have been an immense privilege to be a part of. They have created connection, conversation, reflection, intrigue and most importantly hope. We are honoured to be Hospital Rooms’ biggest project to date. The artwork will be a key part of our culture change, and most importantly have a positive impact on people’s experience of mental health hospitals.”
Workshops are continuing this month and are open to current in-patients, community service users, their carers and supporters, and staff.
To sign up to future community workshops please register your interest: Hellesdon Hospital — Hospital Rooms (hospital-rooms.com)
Photo credit:
Installation view, Mark Titchner, Like there is hope and I can dream of another world, 20 Bank Plain, Norwich © Hospital Rooms.
Courtesy of Hospital Rooms and Norwich University of the Arts. Photo: Damian Griffiths