Hellesdon Hospital
PROJECT INTRODUCTION
Location: Rivers Centre, Norwich
This landmark project at the new Rivers Centre involved working from the design stage with architects to embed arts and culture into five adult wards and communal areas. It featured a Lived Experience Team, led in partnership with Norwich University of the Arts that co-curated exhibitions and advised on national research.
By the Numbers
- Artworks: 15
- Total Participants: 442
- Workshops: 59
- Creative Reach: Record-high average scores of 9/10 in the “Imagination” category for workshops.
- Global Research Hub: Hellesdon serves as a key site for the Hospital Murals Evaluation (HOME) study, a global collaboration assessing the impact of art on public health and recovery.
- Inclusive Excellence: Hosted specialized workshops like “Exploring Softness,” inviting students with lived experience from diverse backgrounds to define and create their own safe, communal spaces.
Artists: Dolly Sen, Errol Francis, Fabian Peake, Ghislaine Leung, Heather Phillipson, Holly Sandiford, Jade de Montserrat, Ken Nwadiogbu, Mark Titchner, Michael Landy, Nengi Omuku, Rosa-Johan Uddoh, Sarah Dwyer, Shepherd Manyika and Ṣọlá Olúlòde
Voices from the Project
“This workshop reminded me that I have an artistic side I’ve neglected for many years. Thank you!” — Participant, Errol Francis’s Photography workshop
“Softness means being able to open up and embrace the unknown.” — Participant, Exploring Softness
Overall Impact
Hellesdon has been a hub for innovation, hosting the “Exploring Softness” series for students with lived experience of mental health services and serving as a key site for the global Hospital Murals Evaluation (HOME) study in partnership with the World Health Organisation.
Ken Kwadiogbu, A Gift of Hope, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Sandpiper Family Room. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Holly Sandiford, Looking Up, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Retreat Rooms (Sandpiper, Kestrel & Mayfly). Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Mark Titchner, Like there is hope and I can dream of another world, 2022. Hellesdon Hospital, Gym (Exterior).
Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Jade de Monstserrat, thought-in-the-making, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Sandpiper Dining Lounge. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Jade de Monstserrat, thought-in-the-making, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Sandpiper Dining Lounge. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Shepherd Manyika, Sit – listen – reflect
– LIGHTER FOR LATER, 2025.
Hellesdon Hospital, Outdoor
Sculptures.
Shepherd Manyika, Sit – listen – reflect
– LIGHTER FOR LATER, 2025.
Hellesdon Hospital, Outdoor
Sculptures.
Shepherd Manyika, Sit – listen – reflect
– LIGHTER FOR LATER, 2025.
Hellesdon Hospital, Outdoor
Sculptures.
Shepherd Manyika, Sit – listen – reflect
– LIGHTER FOR LATER, 2025.
Hellesdon Hospital, Outdoor Sculptures.
Shepherd Manyika, Sit – listen – reflect
– LIGHTER FOR LATER, 2025.
Hellesdon Hospital, Outdoor
Sculptures.
Dolly Sen, Daisy Ways, 2025. Hellesdon Hospital,
Outdoor Sculptures.
Photo © Hospital Rooms (Studio Damian Griffiths)
Dolly Sen, Daisy Ways, 2025. Hellesdon Hospital,
Outdoor Sculptures.
Photo © Hospital Rooms (Studio Damian Griffiths)
Errol Francis, Rhomboids, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Rollesby Corridor. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Mark Titchner, We are all of these things, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Sandpiper Entrance Area. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Nengi Omuku, What the Moon Takes Away, the Sun Brings Back, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Gym (Interior). Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Ṣọlá Olúlòde, A Place of Comfort, 2024.Hellesdon Hospital, Kestrel Dining Lounge. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Ṣọlá Olúlòde, A Place of Comfort, 2024.Hellesdon Hospital, Kestrel Dining Lounge. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Michael Landy, Self/Other, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Mayfly Family Room. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Michael Landy, Self/Other, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Mayfly Family Room. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Fabian Peake, The Forest, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Kester Family Room & Entrance Area. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Fabian Peake, The Forest, 2024. Hellesdon Hospital, Kester Family Room & Entrance Area. Photo © Hospital Rooms (Damian Griffiths)
Siphiwe Mnguni
Senior Public Programmes Curator
Siphiwe is a tall Black Woman with short pixie – cut black hair. Her pronouns are she/her. She was born and raised in South – East London to Zimbabwean parents.
As Public Programmes Curator, Siphiwe is responsible for sharing the Hospital Rooms mission and thinking with local, national and international audiences. Through the developing, coordination and delivering of year round events, talks, public exhibitions and our Digital Art School platform, her mission is to reach as many people with care and creativity whilst building practices of inclusion through our unique lens. Siphiwe is a practicing artist and has worked across artist management, set design and photography before finding her home at Hospital Rooms. Siphiwe lists painters Picasso, Karl Appel and Ellen Gallagher as a few of her favourite visual artists.
Tim Steer
Head of Curatorial
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.
Siphiwe Mnguni
Senior Public Programmes Curator
Tim Steer
Head of Curatorial
Siphiwe is a tall Black Woman with short pixie – cut black hair. Her pronouns are she/her. She was born and raised in South – East London to Zimbabwean parents.
As Public Programmes Curator, Siphiwe is responsible for sharing the Hospital Rooms mission and thinking with local, national and international audiences. Through the developing, coordination and delivering of year round events, talks, public exhibitions and our Digital Art School platform, her mission is to reach as many people with care and creativity whilst building practices of inclusion through our unique lens. Siphiwe is a practicing artist and has worked across artist management, set design and photography before finding her home at Hospital Rooms. Siphiwe lists painters Picasso, Karl Appel and Ellen Gallagher as a few of her favourite visual artists.
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.
The Hellesdon Hospital Project in partnership with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. Supported by COAT Paints, Hauser & Wirth, Norwich University of Arts, and Arts Council England. Our cultural partners are Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery and the Sainsbury Centre.