The Cambridge Children’s Hospital project team took over Cambridge Junction for a day for a series of interactive art workshops.
Children, parents, carers and staff explored the cutting-edge research and vision behind the plans for Cambridge Children's Hospital, which will be on the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust site. As part of Cambridge University's Cambridge Festival they studied a scale model of the new hospital, and explored their creativity with local artist Harold Offeh before seeing their work prepared for publication.
The words and symbols were layered using a special printer called a "Risograph" in vibrant blues, pinks and oranges. Many had their work layered with someone else's to create a unique, collaborative work of art.
They will be published in a zine, a self-published, non-commercial print-work produced in limited batches, to inspire everyone who is part of the hospital’s journey now and in the years to come. Attendees took copies of their favourite designs home.
Using anything from pens and pencils to tape and glue to magazines and newspaper off-cuts, participants of all ages wrote words that described how they would like to feel in Cambridge Children's Hospital.
Next, they created images and patterns that represented those feelings, inspired by Ghanaian Adinkra symbols.
Lastly, they integrated those words and images, as the integration of mental and physical healthcare is at the core of Cambridge Children's Hospital vision.
Harold Offeh said:
Working with children is a spectacular opportunity to gather imaginative insights for the future of the hospital. The Risograph is a tool that bridges the gap between notetaking and artwork creation - lending the power of production to the workshop and participants!
Artist Harold Offeh
Helping out on the day and answering questions were staff from Hawkins/Brown architects.
If you want to get involved with our patient and public engagement work, click here (opens in a new tab). If you want to find out about upcoming Cambridge Children's Hospital events, click here (opens in a new tab).
This event was coordinated by CUH Arts. To find out more about the arts programme at Cambridge University Hospitals, follow the team here (opens in a new tab).