Art workshop is magic for children in Sheffield hospital

Sheffield-based health insurance firm, Westfield Health, donated £1,000 to the hospital’s Artfelt programme, which uses art to create a more comfortable environment within the hospital.

Working with Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Artfelt transforms the hospital’s walls and spaces with bright art, helping children recover in an environment tailored to them.

It also runs workshops for patients, to provide distraction during anxious moments, such as before an operation, and to break up long stays on the wards.

Some of Westfield Health’s donation went towards one of the twice-weekly workshops Artfelt runs, which saw Manchester-based magician David Deanie running a magic and origami session.

Cat Powell, manager of Artfelt, The Children’s Hospital Charity’s arts programme, said: “This incredible donation from Westfield Health will help continue the work of Artfelt at Sheffield Children’s Hospital by sponsoring an art workshop for our young patients.

“Twice a week, our dedicated arts coordinator brings creativity to our wards, making hospital feel better by engaging patients in fun and creative workshops, whether they are staying in hospital long term, or just for a few hours.”

David Vernon-Edwards, director of The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Westfield Health are long-term supporters of ours, helping us keep our hospital at the forefront of paediatric care.”