Charity-curated art inspires hope and wellbeing for special families

An artist with a flair for bringing storytelling to life has been busy creating marvellous murals on the SCBU at Rotherham Hospital.

Rotherham-based artist Lucy Strutt was chosen by colleagues at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust to enhance the SCBU's welcoming and homely atmosphere with her nature and magical-themed designs. Lucy is now half-way through the project which has seen the bare walls transformed with jungle animals, sea life creatures, arctic bears and sea lions plus a giant hot air balloon piloted by a bunny.

Lucy says: "Rotherham Hospital's SCBU is such a calm, lovely environment and the perfect place to paint, so it's been a wonderful project to work on so far. The colleagues on the ward have been welcoming and supportive and have suggested some wonderful ideas to help shape the project.

"I feel really proud to be working here and the real-time feedback from parents who have seen my work has been wonderful. It's rewarding to know it gives them the little boost they need when they're spending so much time at the bedside of their baby."

The Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity is funding the project with all the paints and materials donated by Brinsworth Manor Junior School, where Lucy also works.

Lucy previously worked on a similar project at the Jessop's maternity ward at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. She has also worked on mural at projects in Australia, Nepal and Kenya.

Beverley Lomas, Ward Sister for the SCBU, said the murals are already receiving positive feedback from colleagues and patients' families.

The mural art project is the first time the SCBU has been repainted with new artwork in 15 years and is due to be completed by the end of March. Lucy was chosen for the project by the charity and Trust colleagues in November 2018 after a widespread appeal attracted 30 formal applications.

Barry Mellor, Chair of the Charitable Funds Committee, adds: "This has been a really exciting project for the charity as it's been our first working with an artist to transform our hospital environment. We knew Lucy's designs would appeal to youngsters and adults alike and it's been lovely to hear the positive feedback from the parents of the babies we care for."