Sixth Form students from Saint Felix School, Southwold, have put their artistic talents to good use by painting a mural in a children’s ward at James Paget University Hospital. Seven Sixth Form students, along with their art tutor, volunteered and began planning the colourful creation. The theme of the mural is based around fish and water, and uses a bright and colourful eye-catching design, with lots of shapes to interest children as they enter the ward, to take their minds off things.

A parent at Saint Felix, Annette Collen, is also a Foundation Trust Non Executive Director for James Paget. Annette suggested that the Sixth Formers visit the hospital.

“Saint Felix has previously undertaken several “commissions” for the James Paget University Hospital which have helped to brighten it up considerably.

“The idea for the mural outside the Children’s Ward was prompted by a comment at a Children Services related meeting that I attended about the need to brighten up and delineate the entrance to the Children’s Ward. As you will have seen from the photographs the wall was not a terribly easy one to decorate – with a hatch cut out of it and various buttons set within it. Once again, this time under Mrs Burns excellent supervision, the students overcame this and created a bright and colourful mural at the ward entrance. An added complexity was the fact that the children’s ward was of course operative all day when the painting was done.

“What has struck me (particularly in connection with the first two projects when younger children were involved) was the enthusiasm the pupils showed not just for getting involved but also to learn a bit more about the hospital and its workings including the range of jobs etc. A group of those involved with the mosaic murals made a visit to the hospital subsequently. They seemed to enjoy visiting the medical records department and learning that their hand washing techniques could be improved!

“On many, many occasions some of those involved in these projects have asked if and when they can do another one. Their enthusiasm is brilliant and infectious. Special thanks in this respect must go to the Art teachers who have not just inspired with ideas etc before any actual artwork commences but have also “made it happen” with minibuses, equipment etc – often within tight timescales and at exam times. The standard of the Art generally at Saint Felix has consistently impressed me – I am sure if most of it was “For Sale” in Southwold that there would be ready buyers.”

Justine Goodwin, Sister on the Children's Ward, said: "The beach scene mural really brightens up the entrance to the unit and further enhances the environment for the youngsters, following our recent ward upgrade."

Head of Art at Saint Felix, Mrs Vivienne Burns, took part: “Saint Felix consider it really important for its students to experience giving something back to the community, and working with James Paget was the perfect opportunity to do this.

“While we were painting, one of the students said that we should do even more of these projects, because it was obvious that staff at the hospital really appreciated what we were doing.”