Mental Health Hospital Grounds Brightened by Student Murals

A mental health hospital’s outdoor area has been enhanced by a series of murals designed by three students. These artworks were completed at St George’s Hospital in Stafford, undertaken by students attending the University of Wolverhampton. The students drew inspiration from art previously made by inpatients during workshops led by professional artists. Both the patients and the students collaborated with the Arts for Health team, part of the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, with the expectation that these murals will contribute to a better experience for inpatients. Amy Cole, a graphic design graduate, commented, “Being able to create artwork on such a large scale like this was a huge achievement for me.” She further stated that witnessing patients’ active participation and their suggestions was gratifying. Laura Boden, an illustration student, remarked, “This was a first for me designing for a large area and I wanted to bring full colour and calm with my design.” Charlotte Webb, who is pursuing a master’s degree in digital and visual communications, indicated that this experience had deepened her comprehension of the potential impact of such projects. She stated, “Producing a garden mural was a fantastic opportunity for me to build on my creative practice skills.” Helen Wilson, the Arts for Health worker responsible for overseeing the project, declared it a significant success. She commented, “The murals have improved the garden spaces significantly to provide a pleasant and stimulating outdoor facility for patients, their families, and our staff.” Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.