Art students Laura Boden, Amy Cole and Charlotte Webb were chosen to paint the murals after expressing why they were interested in the placement, what they felt they could bring to the ward garden, and how they thought the experience would support their professional development.
They each produced a design inspired by artwork created by Milford Ward patients in sessions with AfH professional artists Mark Uttley and Kate Slater; allowing the students to get to know the patient’s preferences around colour, themes, patterns and ideas for designs for the ward spaces.
Helen Wilson, the AfH Project Worker who managed the project said: “We are thrilled that the project has been a great success on so many levels. The students have relished the opportunity to gain experience of working in a mental health setting alongside our experienced professional artists, Mark and Kate to enhance the ward environment. 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 formed a firm relationship between AfH MPFT and the Faculty of Art, Business and Science at the University of Wolverhampton, and we hope to work with them again on future collaborations.”
Stacie Hughes, Milford Ward Manager, said: “I’d like to thank Laura, Amy and Charlotte for their hard work; the murals vastly improve our outdoor spaces for our patients to enjoy and spend valuable, therapeutic time outdoors whilst on the ward. We are very lucky to have this space, and it really does make such a positive difference to the experience of our patients.”
Reflecting on the experience Laura said: “This was a first for me designing for a large area. I really wanted to bring full colour and calm with my design. I had a great time working with the staff, patients and artists on the ward, where I had the opportunity to see the positive impact AfH have.”
Lindsey Chambers, University of Wolverhampton’s Head of Social Sciences, Humanities & Creative Industries said: “The co-production with AfH has provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with mental health patients, as well as practised, professional artists to provide a good, working foundation for their degrees.”