In 2022, Art+ collaborated with artist, Christopher Jarratt and creative studio, Field on an art scheme for a new state-of-the-art ward for patients undergoing treatment for cancer, leukaemia and blood disorders. The new ward is bigger and brighter, with improved spaces for parents to stay with their children. A dedicated playroom and schoolroom sit at the heart of the ward, and a new purpose-built break-out space has also been created for teenagers for the first time. Prior to developing the design, the creative team engaged extensively with patients and staff, working through craft activities together, to better understand how users occupied the existing space. By bringing patients on the design journey, they were able to take a user-led approach, ensuring the design expressed both function and meaning.

Jonny Briggs, Founder of Field described the process: “The theme of ‘Imaginary Worlds’ emerged quickly, leading us to interpret the workshop outcomes and start creating versions of the imaginary landscapes.

These landscapes would activate the patients’ imagination, encouraging them to explore their space through activity packs within their room or the different landscapes in the artworks in the ward.

All of the visual interventions were designed to create movement: spatially to keep the patients physically active and visually to maintain a creative mind. Some of our key drivers revolved around active, passive and directed play, with emphasis placed on curiosity and movement.”

The team on the Cancer and Leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s provide some of the best childhood cancer care in the world, and the redeveloped facilities will help provide comfort and make things easier for families staying on the ward during their care, which can last over to a year.

“We’re so excited to see the transformation of the new ward. The children who need Ward 6 often need to stay with us a long time – sometimes more than a year – so the environment makes so much difference to them. We have amazing colleagues supporting children and their families and this work brings the space and facilities to the same high standard." - Ruth Brown, Chief Executive of Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust