Commissioned to design dementia-friendly artwork by Vital Arts and the NHS at a hospital ward in Newham, London. The brief invited all Central Saint Martins students to use design to transform the older adults ward to improve patients, visitors and staff well-being. The ward was home to older-adults recovering from operations and some permanent residents who were receiving on-going treatment. Thistle Ward was your typical hospital ward but was home to patients who needed a little encouragement with their recovery. One of the best methods of recovery from a recent hip operation is movement but as I walked through the ward I could see why people were discouraged from getting up and out of their beds to walk around.
“WE ARE DELIGHTED WITH THIS PROJECT TO TRANSFORM THE WARDS, BY USING AN ART STRATEGY THAT WILL CREATE DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY AREAS FOR OUR PATIENTS THAT ARE ALSO PLAYFUL, ENGAGING AND DRIVEN BY GOOD, INTELLIGENT DESIGN BY RECENT CENTRAL ST MARTINS GRADUATES.
“THE PATIENTS AND THEIR RELATIVES ARE PLEASED AND FASCINATED BY IT. ONE PATIENT SAID HE FELT LIKE HE WAS AT HOME!"