The importance of art in transforming mental health wards
With the Rivers Centre at Hellesdon Hospital nearing completion, part of the focus of the state-of the-art new build will be its stunning artwork, an initiative in partnership with Hospital Rooms involving artists, service users, families and staff.
The work has highlighted the importance of art to mental health, and this was the subject of a speech given by lived experience lead at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) Dr Sophie Bagge at a London art exhibition and auction.
The event was held on the same day a large artwork by Turner prize-nominated Mark Titchener was installed on the external wall of the new gym at the centre.
Mark is one of many artists whose work will be displayed at the new Rivers Centre development, with hopes for all the internal installations complete between 18 and 29 November.
Fifteen major artworks are being created for the new wards in collaboration with internationally-renowned local and national artists, patients and staff. The project is the largest to date for the Hospital Rooms charity, which is dedicated to transforming mental health environments.
Sophie, NSFT’s previous lead for this project, has been supporting the involvement of all people to develop wards as welcoming, therapeutic and creative spaces.
She spoke about the role that art and creativity can play in mental health recovery at the Hospital Room’s exhibition and art auction at the Hauser & Wirth gallery in Mayfair.
After being introduced by broadcaster and author Nick Grimshaw, Sophie talked about how NSFT’s collaborative workshops had been a core part of the Hospital Rooms project.
“The project has been an immense privilege to be part of, creating connection, conversation, reflection, intrigue and most importantly hope.
“The Mark Titchner installation is one of the first for this project and has already significantly transformed part of the Hellesdon site, it is truly special. It was an honour to be invited and speak at the auction event, and I am so pleased to be able to work alongside all in continuing to transform wards through art, into spaces where people can find warmth, hope and healing,” she said.
The Bonhams-sponsored auction marked the end of an exhibition of work from some of the artists involved with the NSFT project. More than 40 artists had donated work to support the Hospital Rooms charity.
The gallery floor was an adaptation of Nengi Omuku’s artwork, originally created for Hellesdon Hospital. It was transformed into a large sky, inviting you to walk, sit and create. Hot air balloons from Omuku’s design were turned into bean bags, which will be brought back to Hellesdon for the new wards.
Hospital Rooms co-founder Tim A Shaw also spoke at the event, talking about his passion to share art with those struggling with their mental health.
The charity also runs a digital art school so NHS mental health inpatients can access art tools and workshops, and thousands of pieces or art from these papered the walls of the exhibition venue.
NSFT Chief Nurse Anthony Deery said: “The passion of everyone involved in this project has been inspiring and I am pleased to hear positive accounts of the success of the workshops with our service users.
“This collaboration is a shining example of the way forward for the Trust providing kinder and better environments for our service users and staff.”