A large-scale mural has been installed on the maternity unit at Warrington Hospital, painted by sixth-form fine art students from Carmel College to bring colour and a more welcoming atmosphere to the ward corridors.
Community collaboration to welcome families
The artwork, painted on a 40-foot wall, was developed under the guidance of Carmel College’s head of fine art, Melissa Wright, and co-ordinated by maternity support worker Emma Bright. Students who worked on the piece include Anna Leigh, Amelia Baker, Becah Nogueira, Charlotte Johnson, Ionela Turcan, Isla Stabbins, Kiara Dorkel-Law and Laila Turner.
The design features intricately hand-painted florals and flowing lines intended to represent the journey from pregnancy to birth and early parenthood. Five intertwined butterflies have been incorporated into the composition to acknowledge the experience of pregnancy loss, a reality for some families using the unit.
“Lots of families take photographs on the corridor when they are leaving hospital with their precious newborn and as a team, we had noticed that the main corridor was a bit plain, with quite a clinical feel,” said Emma Bright.
Emma said the hospital team consulted families receiving care on the unit when developing the design, and invited the college students to work on the mural over two days. She added that families had already noticed a positive difference since the artwork was completed.
Students gain experience while improving the ward
Melissa Wright described the project as a rewarding opportunity for her A-Level fine art students to apply their skills in a public setting and collaborate with healthcare staff. The mural also provides a backdrop for the many photographs families take when leaving the ward with their newborns.
- Artwork painted by Carmel College sixth-form fine art students
- Wall measures approximately 40 feet
- Features floral motifs and 5 intertwined butterflies to mark pregnancy loss awareness
The initiative represents a simple but tangible example of how local education providers and NHS staff can work together to improve hospital environments for patients and families. The mural's location on a principal corridor means it will be seen daily by staff, visitors and those leaving the unit after childbirth.
| Role | Names |
|---|---|
| Project co-ordinator | Emma Bright (maternity support worker) |
| Head of fine art | Melissa Wright |
| Students | Anna Leigh, Amelia Baker, Becah Nogueira, Charlotte Johnson, Ionela Turcan, Isla Stabbins, Kiara Dorkel-Law, Laila Turner |
Hospital staff and college representatives say the mural has already become a focal point for families. While modest in scale compared with clinical upgrades, such artworks can contribute to the emotional experience of care and create lasting memories for parents leaving hospital with their new babies.
