Enhancing Environments for Wellbeing
BCHC services across the city have benefited from enhancements to indoor areas as part of BCHC Charity’s Safe Spaces scheme, set up thanks to funding from the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 appeal.
During the height of the pandemic, it became clear that mental wellbeing was impacted by the disease, with many people reporting feeling stressed and burnout. The charity started discussions with Team BCHC staff to find ways to make clinical and recreational areas more inviting, comfortable, and soothing, improving patient experience and ensuring that BCHC colleagues have calming and tranquil spaces to use during breaks.
Over the last 5 years, BCHC Charity has worked closely with services across the Trust to turn these ideas into reality, such as creating a new staffroom at Perry Tree Intermediate Care Centre. Previously, BCHC staff had to share one staffroom with other services based at the centre, which often led to overcrowding. BCHC colleagues felt the room was not fit for the number of people using it, meaning they were not able to rest, refresh, and recharge during breaks.
A disused room was transformed into a restful area for staff to unwind thanks to a stunning mural by Jasmine Dawn Sky. Senior Sister Claire Owen and Matron Katie Lees worked with Jasmine to create a painting that would be meaningful to staff, whilst promoting relaxation and calm. Claire said, “We wanted to incorporate the names of the 4 patient areas at Perry Tree; jasmine, daisy, magnolia and lavender, which has been achieved in the beautiful mural.” The multi-disciplinary team also provided their thoughts and feelings about what working at Perry Tree means for them, which have also been incorporated into the painting. Extra seating was also provided by the charity to make the most of the new space. Katie added, “The newly appointed staff room now provides a comfortable and relaxing area for staff to enjoy their breaktimes, which, without the support of BCHC Charity, we would have been unable to achieve.”
The Safe Spaces scheme also funded the redecoration and refurbishment of a sensory room at Park House. Jasmine created a truly stunning undersea mural, using glow in the dark paints to provide a beautiful sensory experience even in low lighting. The charity also funded lots of sensory lighting and equipment, and comfortable seating to help turn the space into a stimulating yet relaxing and peaceful environment, including a shimmering LED curtain, a cloud and water projector, giant bean bags and more.
Jasmine reflects on her works with the charity; “Working on these murals for BCHC has been a real privilege of my career… I paint my murals freehand, inspired by nature and the soulful connection we have to it. I hope that my murals bring the same calm and revitalising energy to people as the natural world does.”
The funding has also allowed us to provide extra seating and a mural wall in the staffroom at Lansdowne Health Centre for the Children’s Service teams based there, new sofas in the staffroom in Block B at West Heath Hospital, the setting up of a new therapy room for Learning Disabilities Services at Greenfields, and lots more! Thank you to NHS Charities Together, and all who donated and fundraised for their COVID Appeal, for helping us make these ideas a reality.