Young Artists Bring Colour and Calm to North Tees Hospital

Art created by Yarm School pupils and students is helping to brighten the experience of patients, visitors and staff at the University Hospital of North Tees, as pieces ranging from expressive paintings to mixed-media collages are installed across the site.

Professor Derek Bell OBE, Chair for University Hospitals Tees, and Ms Liz Stebbings, the recently retired former Head of Art at Yarm School, set the project in motion after recognising the opportunity for pupils’ art to offer comfort and support wellbeing in the hospital setting.

The initiative, part of Yarm’s ongoing commitment to community partnership, was a dedicated collaborative effort between Ms Liz Stebbings, Dr Jean MacLeod, Chair of the University Hospitals Tees arts council, and Donna Fairhurst, NHS Senior Project Support Officer. Together they curated a vibrant collection of artwork to enhance the experience of patients, families and staff.

A recent celebration event at the hospital brought together pupils, students, parents and NHS staff, providing an opportunity to showcase the full collection and giving guests the opportunity to meet the young artists and learn about the inspiration behind their work, while seeing first-hand how the pieces will enrich the hospital environment.

The artwork will now be carefully installed in selected wards, corridors and key communal areas to maximise its impact, creating spaces that feel less clinical and offering a calming, comforting environment that provides momentary distraction and a sense of respite.

Poppy Stephens, a former A Level Art student, contributed a powerful body of work that documented her grandfather’s experience of dementia. These pieces have been selected by the Trust to be used as a teaching aide for the medical teams working with people living with dementia, and will be displayed in the Undergraduate Teaching Centre and Common Room.

This collaboration builds on the recent launch of the University Hospitals Tees Arts Council, which seeks to explore the ways in which the arts can provide positive experiences for patients, visitors and NHS staff across its hospitals.

Ms Liz Stebbings, recently retired former Head of Art at Yarm School said:
“It’s inspiring to see the students’ artwork making a real difference, brightening the clinical environment and providing moments of reflection and calm for all who experience it.
Huge thanks to Derek, Jean and Donna for making the initiative possible.”

Professor Derek Bell OBE, Chair for University Hospitals Tees, said:
“There is growing evidence that art and design helps to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals. For this reason, we are keen to support art within our hospitals and to work with local artists to showcase the creative talent we have within the region.
Art can help create connection, change thinking, and help with healing. To finally see this project come together is special, and I am grateful to the pupils and staff at Yarm School who have helped make it happen.”