Winter with Apollo
Iridescent stars and moons hang on invisible strings, shimmering in the light. Long poles are festooned with paper streamers in stripes reminiscent of a circus tent. A seven-metre display board, full of illustrative imagery on a circus theme guides you down the space; look closely and you might find ideas on how to use British Sign Language to share how you are feeling. Welcome to the Acorn Ward at Whipps Cross Hospital, after a week of our Apollo programme creative workshops.
Our associate artists Natasha, Jon and Becky have been working with children and young people on the ward to create all kinds of imaginative and spectacular artwork to bring the installation to life. Each day has been filled with children in the art room, or with artists at bedsides, using paints, glitter, stickers, washi tape, pens, pencils and more to unleash creativity and keep anxieties and boredom at bay.
“My child loved joining in with all the art work. It took his mind off being in hospital.”
A hospital stay can be an extremely frightening and potentially traumatic experience for a child or young person, but “arts therapies have been found to alleviate anxiety, depression and stress while increasing resilience and wellbeing.” Engaging in trauma-informed art sessions during a hospital stay can provide protective factors to mitigate long-term impacts to mental well-being. Play and creative activities have the power to regulate the nervous system and even the simple act of choosing what to create can instil a sense of agency as “for hospitalized children, making art is one of few empowering activities available to them when everything else seems out of their control.” Leading up to the week-long residency our Apollo program runs consistently week after week with the same artists returning to work with the children and young people, building trusting relationships in a hopeful and inspiring space.
“I found today’s activity calming.”
The Christmas and New Year period can be a particularly challenging time for children and young people to be admitted to hospital. Missing the end of term with friends, unable to enjoy typically festive activities and being separated from family can all pile on top of one another. Our residency at Whipps Cross Hospital at this time of year is designed to bring a boost of wellbeing onto the ward and reinforce those protective factors for the challenging period ahead.
Access to art on hospital wards should be seen as an essential part of the recovery process for children and young people undergoing treatment. It can provide a welcome distraction from the stress and pain that a hospital stay might bring about, and in the case of some participants can also be a way to connect with a parent or caregiver who may join the workshop too. Interventions like these can only happen with funding from organisations and individuals. We always rely on generous support from donators throughout the year, but Christmas and the new year represent times of particular need.
“As part of the play team, I can see from day one the difference Kazzum make to the children, families and staff. It’s always a place filled with smiles, and I am so very grateful for the happiness they all bring to Acorn.”
Inspire hope through creativity this winter and donate to our Christmas appeal here:
Thank you to Arts Council England, London Catalyst and the Saturday Hospital Fund for supporting this project.