Healthcare staff help artist create hospital mural

Healthcare staff have been giving up their breaks to help a local artist paint a new mural at Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

The mural, on level two of the hospital, was unveiled on Friday as part of Creativity and Wellbeing Week.

Artist James Colmer ran workshops for staff exploring different artistic styles and used their artwork to inspire the mural's design.

The mural, which features colourful images of local flora and fauna, including bluebells, wild garlic and red campion, aims to "positively enhance" hospital's environment.

'Really engaging'

Ellen Hughes, a care and support worker, joined the project after seeing a poster on the wall of the extra care housing facility in St Martin, where she works.

Mrs Hughes said the workshops were "really relaxing" and had a "real community feeling".

"It ended up being my favourite day of the week," she said.

"I don't do art but James is really encouraging, he can always find something good in your pictures."

Health and Social Care hopes the artwork will be good for the wellbeing of carers

Mr Colmer, who was commissioned by Health and Social Care (HSC), said he had hoped to create a "really engaging, bright, and beautiful piece" capturing Guernsey nature.

"It's not about creating perfect pieces, but just enjoying the art process as they go," he said.

The workshops focussed on different artists and styles each week including Chilean artist Trini Guzman, whose work heavily influenced the final mural.

Mr Colmer said: "It was a bit of a challenge. If it's too bright it can be a bit of a clash on the senses. So we brought in some neutral tones.

"It's been really good fun, meeting the staff and hearing what jobs they do."

'Care for our carers'

Lottie Barnes, head of creative health for HSC, said the project was a great opportunity to "bring the staff together to create a mural".

She said it was important to "care for our carers" and that there was good evidence "art is really good for carers' wellbeing".

Mr Colmer said he was talking to the hospital about future projects, including a "creative trolley" with patients doing artwork in their beds.

He said it was good to have "art with a purpose" and it showed how art can "liven up spaces and make them happy places".