Harrogate College students have seen their artwork installed at a new mental health building in the town following a collaboration with local child and adolescent mental health services.
Hummingbird House now features original artwork created by 20 art students from Harrogate College, who worked with teams from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust over an eight-month period.
The pieces were developed specifically for the new clinical space, with the aim of creating a welcoming and supportive environment for young people and families.
Gillian Gentle, a team manager at Harrogate child and adolescent mental health services, said:
“We wanted to make sure the building featured artwork created by young people, for young people.
“The pieces are designed to create a welcoming environment with positive messages for the children, young people and families who use our services. They took creative inspiration from our CHIME framework – connection, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment.
“Staff met with the students at several stages during the creation of the artwork to review ideas and support the development of the final pieces. The completed artworks are now on display across Hummingbird House, including in waiting areas, corridors and clinic rooms.”
Students visited the building to see their work installed and to mark the completion of the project.
“It was fabulous for some of the students who created the art pieces to see them framed and on the clinic walls,”
Gillian added.
“A great example of the local community coming together.”
The students used a range of techniques including drawing, watercolours, digital print and photography, with many pieces inspired by nature such as parks, rivers and flowers. One artwork also includes an original poem written by a student.
Emily, another student involved in the project, said:
“We chose to do a playground because it reminds us of our childhood and a place where we feel safe and happy.
“It was a very stressful process, it took some time, but to see it up after all the hard work, it’s nice!”
Jason, curriculum manager for creative practice and creative media at Harrogate College, said:
“It’s a really important project undertaken by our college students. I think the emphasis around mental health and raising awareness around it is synonymous with art students in the way they express themselves.
“We’re really pleased and to have their work visible shows that real link between what we’re doing at the college and the mental health services in our local area.”
Lynn, performance and projects co-ordinator, added:
“We are really proud of our students for getting involved with this project. Connecting with local community is very crucial.
“This valuable experience not only gives our students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills beyond the classroom but also provides a platform for them to make a positive impact on the local community. We welcome more opportunities like this from all employers and community groups.”
Brian Cranna, care group director of operations and transformation at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We want people from our local communities to be involved in our services. This is more than just a building – it should feel like part of the community and that means, just like with Harrogate College, people coming in to help us shape it, to help us make it feel friendly and welcoming.
“We value the involvement of the very talented young people at the college, and we look forward to continuing working together into the future.”
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