Bringing the Outdoors into Waiting Areas
Stunning murals have brightened waiting areas at the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre (WMRC) thanks to a partnership between BCHC Charity and Irwin Mitchell LLP.
The charity hired artist Jasmine Dawn Sky to bring some much-needed colour to the waiting areas after staff at the centre approached the charity to discuss ways to improve experience for those visiting the centre for appointments. Jasmine worked with the staff to create designs that would provide stimulation without being overwhelming, helping patients to remain engaged yet calm whilst waiting for appointments.
“I paint my murals freehand, inspired by nature and the soulful connection we have to it”, Jasmine says. “It's so important to get into nature every day, but for many of these staff and their patients, they spend lots of time indoors in the four walls of the healthcare centres. I hope that my murals bring the same calm and revitalising energy to people as the natural world does.”
Lindsay Tomlinson, Partner at Irwin Mitchell, explains why they were so keen to fund this project; “At Irwin Mitchell, we have a long‑standing commitment to supporting our local communities through fundraising, volunteering, and providing specialist legal advice to those that need it. Partnering with BCHC Charity aligns perfectly with this wider mission. Being able to help make over these waiting spaces so that patients feel more at ease is a meaningful extension of the work we do every day to champion wellbeing and inclusion in the communities we serve.”
“We are delighted to support this project because WMRC serves such a wide range of patients with highly specialist needs, from people living with complex neurological conditions to those accessing prosthetics, posture and mobility support, and young adults navigating lifelong rehabilitation journeys. Creating calm, uplifting environments can make a genuine difference to how patients feel when they arrive for appointments, especially when those appointments can be emotionally or physically demanding.”
The children's waiting area has been turned into a beautiful enchanted forest, whilst a vibrant sunset was chosen for the main waiting area. Sue Barlow, Occupational Therapist at the centre, say, “On behalf of the Paediatric Amputee Rehab Team, we would like to say a big thank you for the artwork in the new paediatric waiting area. It's a lovely piece of art and makes a big difference to the space; it's much more welcoming.”
Jasmine reflected on her work across the WMRC, “Working on these murals for BCHC has been a real privilege of my career. The staff at the charity and the centre are the friendliest people you could meet, and it was an honour to transform these spaces for them.”
Sarah Binks, Charity Manager, says, “The murals have already had a noticeable impact on the experience of patients who come to WMRC. Waiting for appointments can be an anxious time and by transforming these spaces with colour and nature‑inspired artwork, we're helping patients feel more relaxed, more grounded, and more connected. This project genuinely enhances the therapeutic environment and supports the dignity and wellbeing of every patient who walks through our doors. A big thank you goes to the team at Irwin Mitchell who have made this possible”