Children create 'wall of thanks' for Sheffield's healthcare workers at Northern General Hospital

Relatives of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals staff and residents have created pictures of rainbows, flowers and hearts to show their gratitude for healthcare workers, which were unveiled along one of the main corridors in the Northern General Hospital yesterday (Tuesday, August 4).

The display which was funded by Sheffield Hospital’s Charity, aims to provide a place of reflection for staff and a reminder that key workers’ efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic were highly valued and appreciated by people in the city.

While the exhibition has been displayed at the Northern General, the ‘Wall of Thanks’ serves as a tribute to all staff who work across Sheffield’s hospitals and community services.

Chairman of Sheffield Hospital’s Charity Adrian Stone said: “Everybody in Sheffield and indeed, the rest of the country is united in their gratitude for all that the NHS and its incredible staff have done for us throughout these difficult times.

"Nothing has captured that better than the rainbow image.

“We are thrilled that these wonderful pieces of artwork can now be installed as a permanent reminder of the gratitude and thanks that we give to all the staff in our hospitals and community health services.

"Staff can come and visit the wall to see just how valued they are. Our thanks go to everybody who has sent in a piece of artwork!”

Yesterday’s art work unveiling, which was curated by the Trust’s Arts in Health team, was also attended by chief executive of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Kirsten Major.

The chief executive explained what a ‘privilege’ it was to officially open the dedicated wall.

“It was a huge privilege to formally open the Wall of Thanks", Kristen said.

"The wall represents the unbelievable kindness of our city; its resilience in managing lockdown and shielding; and the phenomenal dedication of not only NHS staff but all key workers.”

Sheffield Hospitals Arts in Health team manager Emma Scott continued: “We wanted to create the Wall of Thanks to acknowledge the hard work and sacrifices of both NHS staff and other key workers during the COVID19 pandemic.

"We hope that the display will bring both joy and reflection to those who see it and we thank everyone who has contributed artworks and those who have helped us to realise the exhibition including our colleagues in the Estates department, and all members of staff and their families that sent in their artwork.

“Following the exhibition of the images in the Huntsman building within the Northern General site, these images will be taken down and offered to areas across the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust, including community clinics to be installed permanently as a reminder of the extraordinary events which took place in 2020, and the commitment of key workers whilst not forgetting the tragedy of lives lost.”

Sheffield experts invite carers to share their Covid-19 stories for digital exhibition

End of an era as legendary Sheffield takeaway prepares to close its doors for good

Sheffield youth worker pens hard-hitting book on the impact of knife crime

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor