Colourful makeover brings children’s ward to life at King’s College Hospital

The children’s ward at King’s College Hospital is now “lighter, brighter and uplifting” thanks to an artistic makeover.

Children and parents are now greeted by entertaining depictions of colourful animals and wildlife from the moment they enter the Denmark Hill ward.

Funded by the King’s College Hospital Charity, the 15 -bed ward was transformed in just six weeks, working with local mural artist Petra.Painter.

Jo Henderson, from Forest Hill, mum to six year-old Freya who has a brain tumour, commented on the changes after having often been in King’s with her daughter over the years.

Jo described the artwork as “joyful” and explained the ward now feels “lighter, brighter with uplifting colours”.

Six-year old Anthony, from Swanley, who has Cystic Fibrosis, and his dad also said the artwork brightened up their stay on the ward. Anthony even named one space-trekking cat motif, ‘Tigger’, in a heart-felt reminder of his pet cat at home.

Passing through the corridors against a backdrop of large colourful wall murals, the once banal and clinical has become an exciting journey as exotic animals now seemingly ‘jump’ to life upon the opening of highly-decorated doors.

Painted pets also appear to offer greetings from the walls of the children’s play room, dressed in space helmets surrounded by rockets and other imagery of space all designed to make children laugh.

With children often spending weeks or months at a time in the hospital, the artwork encourages them and their families to enjoy distractions from the hospital atmosphere.

Ceiling lights also depict the sky in a bright blue with moving digital clouds, a further comforting reminder of life beyond hospital wards.

Lizzie Ruck, ward manager on the Toni and Guy Ward, said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the artwork, from children, parents and staff.

“It really brightens up the ward space, gives families fun things to talk about, and importantly boosts the mood of children, some of whom are unable to leave the ward during their time here due to illness.

“I express my gratitude to King’s College Hospital Charity, as without their help this would not have been possible.”

Pictured top: Six-year-old Anthony with his dad Ani (left) and Freya, also six, with her dad (Pictures: King’s College Hospital NHS Trust)