Fieldhead Hospital and Kendray Hospital
PROJECT INTRODUCTION
South West Yorkshire NHS Foundation
Location: Yorkshire
The Yorkshire project has focussed on making clinical environments feel “less clinical and more real”. By using a flexible and dynamic structure, the project has fostered a strong sense of agency and identity among participants. Workshops have allowed service users and staff to explore how tactile materials and organic shapes can create a calm, supportive atmosphere for recovery.
Artists involved: Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq, Simeon Barclay, Kedisha Coakley, Phoebe Collings-James, John Costi, Emma Cousin, Jane Hayes Greenwood, Emma Hardaker, Alfie Kungu, Benaiah Matheson, Haroon Mirza, Meera Shakti Osborne, Mary Stephenson, Karanjit Panesar, Deborah Segun
By the Numbers (to Oct 2025)
- Artworks: 15 permanent artworks across two hospitals and three wards.
- Total Participants: 106 (comprising 69 service users and 37 staff).
- Creative Workshops: 27 delivered to date.
- Sentiment: Achieved a 9.8/10 for ‘Inclusion’ and a 9.7/10 for ‘Repeat Participation’.
Voices from the Project
“Thank you for creating a warm and open space to be unmasked.” — Workshop Participant, Yorkshire
“One service user had been really quiet in previous sessions, but he did this amazing recital of lyrics, freestyling – it completely blew us away.” — Project Team Member, SWYFT
“This is your ward. Fill the space. I want it to be bright. I want it to be nice. I want it to be a relaxing environment.” — Staff Participant, Visual Matrix session
Overall Impact
The project has leveraged prestigious local partnerships with The Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. These community-based sessions offered participants a low-pressure setting to “arrive and settle,” demonstrating that art matters both within and beyond hospital walls. The resulting artworks are being shaped by deep conversations regarding sensory balance and personal comfort.
Hospital Rooms, Workshop with Simeon Barclay at Yorksire Sculpture Park (YSP), 2025.
Hospital Rooms, Workshop with Simeon Barclay at Yorksire Sculpture Park (YSP), 2025.
Hospital Rooms, Workshop with Simeon Barclay at Yorksire Sculpture Park (YSP), 2025.
Hospital Rooms, Workshop with Simeon Barclay at Yorksire Sculpture Park (YSP), 2025.
Hospital Rooms, Workshop with Simeon Barclay at Yorksire Sculpture Park (YSP), 2025.
Project curator team
Tim Steer
Senior Project Curator
Tim is a medium build white man with light brown hair, his pronouns are he/him. He is half Swedish, born in London and grew up in Devon.
As a Senior Project Curator, Tim helps lead projects including commissioning artists, liaising with NHS Trusts and service users, as well as working with communities and partners. Tim has more than ten years experience of working in galleries, he writes for art magazines and has had a research interest in mental health for a number of years. He volunteers at Read Easy, teaching adult learners to read and enjoys cold swimming and searching for used furniture online.
Hospital Rooms Yorkshire Project in partnership with South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Supported by Arts Council England. Our Cultural Partner is Yorkshire Sculpture Park.