The response to the project and the final two murals, one in the entrance hall and one in the main lounge, from both staff and service users has been extremely positive. The following feedback from service users shows how engaged they were in the process and how inspired they have been by the results:
‘The mural in the hallway is very colourful and I find it inspirational and cheerful. It was quite nice that the artist took inspiration from personal preferences expressed by different patients. In the lounge, the sunrise mural feels appropriate in that a sunrise represents the beginning of a new day, a new start… and that’s what we’re here for. The ocean represents a calming influence, but also the instability of thoughts and emotions.’
‘The murals brightened up the ward and make it seem more cheerful.’
‘The murals are Inspiring and it was fun to be involved. I painted a butterfly and part of the sky.’
‘I asked Mandy the artist to add a Westie to the mural in the hallway. Every time I walk past it, I give him a stroke. Sometimes, I sit by it and it makes me feel calm and peaceful, because I look at the Westie and think of my own dog back home. The mural in the lounge is really relaxing. It’s beautiful… so much better than having just a blank wall. When I asked Mandy for a Mermaid, she painted one into the sea for me!’
‘The murals are unique and insightful. I chose to have a ladybird on a leaf on one of them and a crab on the other. Mandy is such a fantastic artist.’
Mandy has previously painted two murals at Cygnet Lodge Kenton.