Student artists give children's unit a colourful new look

PICTURED: Emergency Department Consultant Sue West-Jones (centre in purple) and Children’s Emergency Unit's clinical lead Catrin Dyer (far right) with Gower College Swansea students.

Aspiring artists have been brushing up on their skills by sprucing up a new children’s unit in Morriston Hospital.

Students at Gower College Swansea have put their imagination and creativity to the test by giving the Children’s Emergency Unit (CEU) a new look with specific designs for certain areas of the department.

As part of the project, the A-Level art students have been able to use it as a key part of their Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification.

The CEU moved into its new location – just yards from its previous base – in November 2024, but was in need of a splash of colour and creativity to make it less of a clinical location for young patients.

PICTURED: Gower College Swansea students in front of one of their designs in the children's unit.

Following an initial visit to see which spaces were available to design, the students then applied their brushes and skills over two trips.

Sue West-Jones, Emergency Department Consultant, said: “After the creation of the new Children’s Emergency Unit, it was clear that the area wasn’t very child friendly and that it had many bare walls.

“I got in touch with Liz Edwards, who is the Learning Area Manager for Creative Arts and Humanities in Gower College Swansea, to see if the art students could paint murals as part of the community service focus of the Welsh Baccalaureate.

“The reaction was very positive, and it’s quickly led to a wonderful partnership that has benefited our young patients and their families, our staff and the students.

PICTURED: The new designs have given the unit a bright look.

“The work the students have done have brought colour and distraction.

“There are waves and sun in our adolescent room, which doubles up as our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service room, where the sun’s rays are LGBTQ colours.

“Another piece of the work includes a balloon mural suitable for younger children, which has already been dubbed the balloon room.”

Liz Edwards, Gower College Swansea Learning Area Manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our learners have had the opportunity to support Morriston Hospital’s Children’s Emergency Unit by painting vibrant murals in the patient cubicles.

“This has been a wonderful collaboration between hospital staff and the A-Level art department at Gower College Swansea.

PICTURED: Students completed the designs over two visits to Morriston Hospital.

“Natalie Tucker, who is one of our art lecturers, has been the driving force behind the project along with Nigel Williams, curriculum leader for art, and it’s been a pleasure working with Sue and her team in Morriston to deliver this work.

“We have been able to use the project as a key part of the learners’ Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification while also supporting our own local hospital.”