Resident Artist Birmingham Children's Hospital

This Summer I was Artist in residence at Birmingham Children's hospital, working on Oncology, Hematology, Surgery, Palliative care and Outpatients. During my two month summer residency I engaged with patients and family members aged between 4 months, toddlers, teenagers, their siblings, parents and grandparents. Using a mixture of 1-2-1 and group sessions designed for the individual's needs. Trying a different process every week. I used art in different ways including as a way to distract children before they went down to theatre, or whilst they were having treatment. I helped fill incredibly long days, enabling families to have fun and do something together that was non medical and for others it was about making memories.

I love this vibrant display of zines they made which are displayed in Bright coloured cabinets in the Rainbow corridor of the children's hospital. I look at each of them and I know who made it or who inspired it. Each of you has truly left your mark on me.

I want to thank all the staff for making me feel so welcome on their busy wards and to the lovely patients and their families for working with me and being so open and honest during what for many was an incredibly difficult time.