- Area:
- South West England
- Release date:
- 26 4 2013
Exeter Healthcare Arts project ‘Sanctuary Courtyard - Care for Cancer Patients and their families project’, was funded through a Big Lottery Fund, Awards for All grant of £9750 in 2012.
Exeter Healthcare Arts is part of the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. Over the summer of 2012 artists and volunteers worked in an empty unit in the Guildhall Shopping Centre in Exeter. They worked on creating an inspiring mosaic mural which has now been installed in the courtyard of the Cancer Unit at the RD&E Hospital in Exeter. It has helped to create a positive environment in the unit, helping to improve patients’ psychological state and wellbeing.
People from the cancer support group and nursing staff attended design workshops, led by local artists Lucy Rockliffe and Jess Carville (Artstorm) and were able to make a positive input into the design of the mosaic and offered them a therapeutic activity. The making of the work was sponsored from the Guildhall Shopping Centre in Exeter. The project resulted in a vibrant mosaic mural called 'The Tree of Life'.
As Stephen Pettet-Smith from Exeter Healthcare Arts says:
“This project funded by the Big Lottery Fund allowed us to reach a huge number of people living and working in the city. Once completed the work was transported in sections and installed in the hospital courtyard. The project raised awareness of cancer issues as well as providing a positive environment for cancer patients. Informal feedback from patients and families using the area has been appreciative and supportive of the project - even in the winter!”
Volunteer Lynne Wright, who has been treated for cancer at the RD&E Hospital and who helped with the project says:
“I have always admired the art work in the hospital corridors. Through Force I was able to take part in a six week art course, which helped me through a difficult time. I was asked to join the mosaic project and really enjoyed my involvement in it. It is good to think that I am giving something back to the hospital in a way that will give pleasure to other patients.”
The project participants were very responsive to the aim of the project - to enhance the healing environment for teen and young adult patients and those at the end of life. Many of the participants were current or former cancer patients or the family members of former patients. The project made a real difference as people felt that the workshops enabled them to give of their time and artistic endeavour to help others through the cancer journey. The workshops both formal and 'drop in' gave people an opportunity to meet together with a common cause. 30 individuals contributed in the making stage, and around 200 people visited the shop.