Arts for Impact has designed artwork for Le Marchant Rehabilitation Ward at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, kindly funded half by Art for Guernsey and half by Generali Worldwide.
Arts for Impact is a Guernsey based charity which aims to address societal challenges through creative projects. The charity employs skilled local artists and designers to create solutions to societal challenges and facilitate creative sessions with various local groups across healthcare, hospitality, education, workplaces and the prison.
After a consultation with staff and patients at Le Marchant Ward, illustrator Hugh Rose from Arts for Impact learned that a primary concern is the immobility of patients. There exists a perception that a stay at a hospital is synonymous with ‘bed rest’, and indeed the current procedure when admitting a patient to hospital is to show them to their bedroom. However, an overwhelming body of research indicates clearly that immobility (remaining in bed, or in a chair) negatively impacts health and slows recovery. Arts for Impact produced a detailed creative brief to produce an art project that would support the patient’s recovery by encouraging movement around the ward.
Mr Rose approached the project by drawing inspiration from the popular pastime of walking in Guernsey’s stunning landscape, installing life-size views of coastal walks. He aimed to transform the experience of patients by making the ward a pleasant space to walk around and explore, bringing the experience of abundant colour and wildlife found outdoors into the hospital, where many patients must stay for long periods of time with limited mobility.
Arts for Impact would like to thank Art for Guernsey and Generali Worldwide for their generous support of this project. Staff at Generali Worldwide carried out various fundraising activities and the total was matched by the firm.
The charity also thanks HSC Arts and Culture Manager Lottie Barnes, and the staff and patients at Le Marchant Ward for all their help in making this project a success.
