Publish date: 19 July 2024
The Children’s Ward at St Mary’s Hospital has been brought to life with new, vibrant artwork, thanks to a local children’s charity.
The new artwork has been funded by Layla’s Trust, a local charity that supports recently bereaved families and helps families who have children with life-limiting disabilities and terminal illnesses.
The walls are now filled with colour and interest and create a brighter and more child-focussed environment for young people and their families.
Becky Hepworth, Children’s Ward Matron said: “Our wish was for our paediatric ward to be a much more child-friendly environment and we are thrilled with the artwork that Layla’s Trust has so generously provided.
“Every aspect has been carefully thought through, from making sure it appeals to different ages and the story it tells to the location where it can be easily seen and produced in a way that it can be refreshed if it becomes worn. I want to thank everyone for helping us transform our ward, it’s just wonderful.”
Artist, Greg Stobbs came up with several designs that would appeal to young people and it was the Isle of Wight NHS Youth Forum that had the casting vote. The chosen artwork runs the length of the ward and tells a story of growth. Using nature as a central theme, the illustrations aim to create a vibrant but still relaxing environment, where young people and their visitors can be distracted and transported through character, narrative and imagery to a place that feels less daunting.
Greg Stobbs, said: “Nature is proven to reduce stress and improve mood, so I wanted to bring an element of that into the hospital. Little seeds growing into vibrant semi abstract flowers, trees and natural forms. Characters that are unique to the hospital, that can be followed and recognised as familiar friendly faces throughout the different spaces.
“It was a huge honour to be asked by Layla's Trust to create the imagery for the hospital, and a massive responsibility to create work that would be embraced by the young patients. I’m so glad that it was them that had the final say.”
Emma Cotter from Layla’s Trust said: “Anyone who is or who has been in hospital alongside a poorly child for any length of time, will know and appreciate the impact that the hospital environment can have on your mental wellbeing and that of a child.
“Having met Greg at art college over 20 years ago, we instantly appreciated that his skills as a talented artist and illustrator would make a great addition to the newly renovated ward. The ward is now a riot of colour that doesn’t just appeal to younger children, but is relevant to older children as well, which is no mean feat. Hopefully children will find the spaces friendlier and less clinical, allowing care givers to use art as a tool to help children engage with storytelling and creative therapy.”
The Trust would also like to thank GQG Services who offered their services in surveying the ward and the NHS Printing Department for the printing and installation of the artwork.
