Art and design students create murals to enhance patient experience

Three students at the University of Wolverhampton have worked alongside an NHS Trust to create art murals to enhance the outside space of an adult acute mental health ward.  

Laura Boden, currently studying Illustration, Amy Cole, Graphic Design graduate and Charlotte Webb, studying for a Master’s in Digital & Visual Communications, worked with the Arts for Health (AfH) team at the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust to create artwork to help improve the experience of mental health inpatients on the Milford Ward at St. George’s Hospital in Stafford.  

All three students were chosen to paint murals after submitting expressions of interest in what they could bring to the setting and how they thought the experience would support their own professional development. 

Laura, Amy and Charlotte each produced a design inspired by artwork created by Milford Ward patients in sessions with AfH professional artists, Mark Uttley and Kate Slater, within the last year, allowing the students to get to know patient preferences around colour, themes, patterns and ideas for designs for the ward spaces.  

Reflecting on the experience of creating the murals, Charlotte said: “Producing a garden mural was a fantastic opportunity for me to build on my creative practice skills. I’ve painted many indoor large-scale murals, but this was my first outdoor experience using paints designed for exterior walls and it was a fantastic experience. 

“The patients and staff at Milford Ward supported us throughout the project and helped with our designs. Coming away from this project, I now feel more confident working outdoors and the knowledge gained has helped me to understand the potential impact of work like this.”  

Amy added: “I've never had the opportunity to work on a project of this scale and illustration has always been something I’ve done as a hobby. Being able to create artwork on such a large-scale like this was a huge achievement for me. 

“It was great working with patients and seeing how the art had an impact on them and their environment. It was also really special seeing patients wanting to actively get involved and offer their suggestions.”  

Laura said: “This was a first for me designing for a large area and I wanted to bring full colour and calm with my design. I had a great time working with staff, patients and artists on the ward, where I had the opportunity to see the positive impact arts can have on health.”  

Lindsey Chambers, Head of School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “Working with the Arts for Health team at the Trust gave our students a fantastic opportunity to work with mental health patients, as well as practised, professional artists to provide a good working foundation for their degrees.”  

Helen Wilson, AfH Project Worker who managed the project said: “We are thrilled that the project has been a great success on so many levels.  

“The murals have improved the garden spaces significantly to provide a pleasant and stimulating outdoor facility for patients, their families, and our staff. 

“The project has also allowed us to build a relationship with the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences at the University of Wolverhampton and we hope to work with them again on future collaborations.” 

Anyone interested in studying for courses at the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.     

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