Much-loved local children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson is the inspiration behind a beautiful newly-refurbished Clinic Room in The Willows Children’s Outpatients Department at Croydon University Hospital (CUH), which was installed last week.
Bright and colourful images inspired by Dame Jacqueline Wilson’s books, such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather, now adorn the previously plain walls of this busy clinic room, where children with cancer and other medical diagnoses are seen for medical reviews including blood transfusions.
The clinic room has been refurbished by local charity Momentum Children’s Charity, made possible thanks to the generous donations from the Zurich Community Foundation and Croydon Relief in Need.
With images of children playing in the sea, a hot air balloon and children jumping up and down for joy, each scene on the walls of the Isolation Room tells a story. The storyboard idea was a collaboration between Dame Jacqueline Wilson and illustrator Nick Sharratt, who provided many of the original illustrations for Jacqueline Wilson’s books. Graphic artist Tudor Morris, who as a teenager was supported by Momentum Children’s Charity, also assisted the design.
Dame Jacqueline Wilson said: “I'm so pleased and proud that Tudor has designed such a wonderful room using Nick Sharratt's illustrations from my books. If looking at the pictures gives a sick child some entertainment or comfort I shall be so happy.”
Ann-Marie Baker, Willows Ward Sister at CUH said: “The Jacqueline Wilson refurbishment has transformed the room to a bright and colourful space, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
“Children often feel anxious when visiting hospital, and having a creative room with storyboards as wall art to distract and calm them can make such a difference. We can’t thank Momentum Children’s Charity and the funders enough for making this makeover possible.”
