Thursday 13 April 2023
Happiness is blossoming in the halls of Lanchester Road Hospital in Durham.
Patients and staff from Roseberry Ward, in the Bowes Lyon Unit, joined forces with artist Griselda Goldsbrough and volunteer Becca West recently on a floral art project.
“Everyone had a lovely time. After a day full of energy and joy, murals bloomed all around us,” said Griselda, an art and design development manager for the NHS.
“We listened to music as we painted and shared in laughter, joy and hope for the future as we chatted. Art is so important for spreading happiness.”
Sowing seeds of happiness
The art project was organised by specialist occupational therapist Ashton Alderson and ward manager Nichola Young, to help create a “more inviting” hospital environment.
Suggestions for designs were made by both patients and staff – with murals featuring flowers, a seaside scene and a rainbow all carefully crafted during the special event.
“It was a brilliant day,” said Ashton. “I like how the murals combined all the ideas that were put forward and how they all came together to create such beautiful artworks.”
Blooming lovely
Several patients took charge of painting roses, hydrangeas and daisies for one mural, while staff took on the challenge of using sponges to create a seaside scene.
“It’s been such a happy day,” said one of the patients. “The paintings have brightened up the corridor. Each little bit stands out.”
Health care assistants Shirley Unsworth and Michelle Campbell – who have worked together for years – created a delightful mural of wildflowers during the event.
As the pair painted the delicate bouquet, they shared work memories and happy stories with the group, and Shirley said:
“It felt like we were all friends together. You could feel the atmosphere and energy, it made such a difference.”
Michelle, who was delighted to take part in the event, added: “It’s the people reflected in the mural; it’s been like therapy for all of us. It was a really special day.”
Hospital staff are golden
The artworks have now become conversation starters too – with many memories sparked by the beach scene and happy times of past seaside visits.
Griselda added: “It really was a brilliant day. It is wonderful to see patients enjoy themselves, and it is staff like this who make a hospital – they are the gold at the end of the rainbow.”
