School art project helps brighten critical care ward at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital

The pupils from Meadowhead School set about creating colourful artwork, both at home and in school, following an appeal by a staff member.

They have been very creative in their response, using various artistic mediums – paint, colouring pencils, and coloured paper to name a few.

Meadowhead School’s education welfare officer, Jane Walker, came up with the idea as her close friend works in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Hallamshire.

She requested the artwork to provide hope to the staff and patients during the current crisis.

Speaking to the students who had been involved, Jane said: “I thought this may be a great project for our students when they are in the building to be involved in.

“I have been moved collecting and delivering the endless pieces of amazing artwork that Meadowhead students have produced in response to the appeal to help bring hope to the ICU of the Hallamshire to patients and staff.

“This has been particularly poignant for me as I have been delivering them to a good friend who works on the ward as an ICU nurse. Her reaction to the art has been very emotional and I am so very proud of each and every one of you for helping bring some hope to those that really need it during uncertain times.”

The school said there has been a ‘fantastic’ response to the project which launched on Wednesday, April 15.

Some students have emailed their work over for printing, while others have dropped off larger pieces, such as canvas painting, at the school.

Much of the artwork follows a rainbow theme, something which acts as a symbol of peace and hope and has become synonymous for people wanting to show solidarity with NHS and healthcare workers.

It is all is now hanging at the entrance to entrance to the critical care ward at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to help spread cheer.

In addition one of the school parents, Hannah Crowther, who works on the ward has been sharing photos of the work in situ for the students to see.

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