Artwork transforms Sandwell CAMHS thanks to inspiring Hospital Rooms project
The home of Sandwell CAMHS at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been transformed with world-class artwork thanks to an inspiring project between the service, young people and national charity Hospital Rooms.
The year-long project saw leading artists run workshops with young people and staff, in schools and at local cultural organisations, to collaborate on a vision for the site at Lodge Road in West Bromwich.
Young people have been at the centre of the project, by getting involved in workshops with the artists and making a real difference to the physical environment at Sandwell CAMHS.
Twelve new site-specific artworks were commissioned to reimagine the way children and young people experience care in the service. The success of the project was celebrated in July with a series of events at Lodge Road.
The weekend saw Sandwell CAMHS open its doors to the public for a celebration event which included tours, a screening of a documentary about the project, pop-up workshops, and creative activities for the community. It was a chance for visitors to see up close the artwork that has transformed the waiting areas, corridors and a series of therapy rooms and to hear how the improved environment is already making a positive impact on young people.
Nicky Mountford, service manager and clinical lead at Sandwell CAMHS, said: “The experience of Hospital Rooms in Sandwell CAMHS has been such a positive and enlightening one for staff and young people and families who access our service.
“This project has helped to show the young people and families that art is accessible and inclusive for all and has a positive impact on their wellbeing.”
Mattie Hartley, project curator from Hospital Rooms, said: “We hope that every young person that uses the service going forward can see themselves reflected somewhere on the walls, and know that this is a space created for them.”
The impact of the project can be seen in the experience of Jasmine, a young person who has been involved throughout the project and has been inspired to pursue her love of photography at university.
Jasmine said: “I’ve helped design the space to make it more comfortable and less stressy. Now that the project is finished it's way better and if I had my appointments here I would feel more comfortable and less anxious. I’m glad for the new people that come here that there’s a brighter space as it gives them hope.”