Tresham College students transform Cransley Hospice walls with peaceful artwork
Patient rooms and hallways at Cransley Hospice have been transformed into vibrant, comforting spaces, thanks to a heartwarming collaboration between hospice staff and art students from Tresham College.
The project, initiated by Hospice Matron Assistant Karen Barron, challenged Year 1 and Year 2 art students to create original pieces based on a specific, deeply meaningful brief: creating a calm and peaceful ambience for patients and their families.
Under the guidance of their tutor, Spencer, the 16 and 17 year old students spent months exploring diverse interpretations of “calm,” utilising a wide array of artistic styles. Following a competitive selection process involving numerous impressive entries, the hospice team selected their top three pieces.
Karen later visited Tresham College to present the awards and speak with the students about the vital community work funded by the Cransley Hospice Trust. The winning students, Bella, Madalina, and Ryan were then invited into the hospice to see their artwork beautifully framed and hung in situ, allowing them to witness the real impact of their creativity.
The new artwork is already providing comfort to patients and their loved ones during incredibly challenging times. Shelagh Folgate, a former textile teacher and a family member of a current patient, shared how much the project means to visitors:
“The artwork makes us smile. As a family visitor, it’s so nice to stand and look at them, they are very reflective. Having been a textile teacher myself, I really enjoy seeing the students’ creativity on display.”
Victoria, Head of Service and Commissioning, shared her pride in the project:
“This has been a wonderful initiative for both Cransley Hospice and Tresham College. Introducing the concept of Specialist Palliative Care to young people isn’t always easy, but this project has given the students a meaningful understanding of our work. In turn, their beautiful artwork now brings joy to everyone who walks through our doors.
We are also incredibly grateful to the team at ZanArt framers in Kettering, who did a spectacular job framing the artwork to help bring the students’ vision to life.”
Karen, Hospice Matron Assistant, commented on the success of the initiative:
“It was lovely to see what the students perceived as calm. We spoke to the students about the massive difference this will make to the patient experience, replacing what were previously blank magnolia walls.
When the winning students visited, it was wonderful for them to hear patient and visitor comments about how they have ‘lost themselves’ in the pictures. It really was a pleasure to partner up with the local community and share the good work that is done here. Spencer and I are already talking about project two, so watch this space!”