Pupils’ balloon pics brighten hospital walls

A special piece of artwork has been given pride of place at the Royal Berkshire Hospital thanks to the artistic talents of local school children.

Pupils from St Joseph’s College, Reading, created the oil painted panels, which all feature hot air balloons, and it’s now adorning the walls of the radiology department, brightening up the visits for patients having ultrasound scans.

Earlier this week the youngsters, from St Joseph’s prep and secondary classes, visited radiology to hand over the artwork, which is made up of 18 individual pictures, and help staff hang it in the waiting area.

The pupils decided to create the artwork for the Royal Berkshire Hospital because their school is a close neighbour and some of the youngsters have attended the hospital for scans. They wanted to create the artwork to showcase their talents and brighten up the space for patients.

Sarah Heaton Lead Sonographer at the Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust, said: “we have worked closely with the students at St Joseph’s College on a previous project for our paediatric scan room. It has been a pleasure to see the results of this project as the students chose the theme themselves so it was a complete surprise. We have had a lot of positive feedback from both our patients and staff. It has made a real difference and greatly improved our waiting area.

Mrs Gillian Bailey, Head of Art at St Joseph’s College: "The pupils were so happy to see their work up in a public space. It really made them feel like professional artists. It was also fantastic to see their artwork in the corridors of the hospital - we got to see an exhibition we were not expecting!

“Our close links with the hospital tie in with our school’s commitment to wellbeing and this was  recognised in the Times Educational Supplement Independent School Awards who shortlisted us for their Wellbeing Initiative of the Year 2019.

The links between teachers, parents, pupils and our wider community, including the RBH and the staff there, form a partnership that prioritises the wellbeing of each child. We understand how important it is to have the right support and encouragement during all stages of a pupil’s education. The College ethos encourages everyone to develop responsibility and to care for those around them,” she added.

11 April 2019