A local artist has used her own past experiences and creativity to spread inspirational messages at a mental health ward in Blackburn.
Rachel Jackson is a mural artist dedicated to supporting mental health charities and Rachel visited the Trust's Calder Ward at Pendleview located at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Following service user feedback the art work was commissioned to add some colour and personality to the ward as service users and their families wanted the space to appear less sterile.
Rachel said:
“I just love the idea of people getting a bit of happiness out of my artwork.
I do have some mental health issues myself so it’s a way of looking after myself. Doing art is the only thing that calms my brain down and I can give back to the community by doing murals, so I love it.”
The newly painted unique murals combine positive messages and inspirational statements in a mix of bright and vibrant colours and styles to inspire service users. The Trust actively encourage service users to participate in art based activities as art can be used to express complex and difficult emotions.
Rob Evans, Calder Ward Matron said:
“We are thrilled with our new murals and can’t thank Rachel enough for brightening up our ward.
Our service users and families are already commenting on how much brighter and welcoming the space appears and how reading the encouraging messages is spreading positivity and putting them at ease when entering the ward.
We would love for Rachel to return in the future and add some further murals to our communal areas, corridors and additional wards as we are already seeing the uplifting impact the artwork is having on our service users.”
Pendleview is a mental health unit made up of four inpatient wards based at the Royal Blackburn Hospital. The unit provides 24 hour care for patients between the ages of 18 to 65 years old.
