A project which has transformed a dilapidated and underused pond in the grounds of the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) into a haven of peace and nature, was officially opened at a special ceremony.
The ceremony also celebrated a number of other arts and environmental projects recently completed at the Paisley hospital, including a new Forget-Me-Not mural on the hospital Chaplaincy, the HALO gardens and the Renfrewshire Tapestry which is currently on display in the hospital dining hall. The ceremony was attended by politicians, local dignitaries, local and national health officials, staff, and people involved in the pond and other projects.
During the event, visitors attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the pond, before receiving a tour of the hospital to see for themselves the other projects, and to hear the story of their creation and how they have improved the environment for patients, visitors, staff and the public alike.
The project to transform the pond got under way in late summer 2021, after a slight delay to allow the cygnets of a family of swans to fledge without disruption. Designs were created by Rolf Roscher and Felicity Steers of ERZ Landscape Architects who played a pivotal role in making the vision become a reality. The work continued throughout 2022 and it is now open and a much-loved greenspace.
Opening the pond, Professor Tom Steele, Director of Facilities and Estates at NHSGGC, said: “This project is a fantastic example of collaboration between professionals, the third sector, the local community, and all users of the hospital site. It demonstrates how we can work together to achieve something that meaningfully contributes to both the sustainability agenda and the health and wellbeing agenda.
“It also presents a key part of transforming the outdoor estate at the RAH campus. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved.”
The new mural was only completed earlier this month, and is the latest addition to the hospital. The work of artists Ali Smith and Robert McNamara, it highlights the healing power of nature and complements the planting within the HALO gardens which surround the Chaplaincy building.
The HALO gardens are based on a concept conceived by Felicity Steers and Elle Steele during lockdown to provide an outdoor sanctuary for friends and families to meet safely when social distancing measures were in place. There are four at the hospital, and they are a popular place particularly for staff to use on their breaks.
Welcoming the creation of the gardens and the mural, Yvonne Dolan, Lead Nurse, and Professor Kevin Rooney, at the RAH said: “The Covid Pandemic brought many challenges to staff, patients and families. Outdoor space became increasingly important to allow patients and families to visit briefly but safely and to staff for respite from the challenging clinical environment, particularly the PPE being worn in Intensive Care Units. The HALO gardens have given us accessible intimate spaces for our use visible from the Intensive Care Unit. The Mural was commissioned to enhance the HALOs further and provide a welcome distraction to all patients overlooking this building.”
The tapestry is a community project to celebrate the historical county of Renfrewshire in threads and fabric, telling the story of its past, present and future. It comprises several printed boards and two suspended stitched panels
Accompanying the panels are embroidered teardrops, circles and crosses made by people from all over the world telling their own personal stories in the form of embroidery. So far, more than 450 of these have been created, telling very personal tales of where people worked, their families, what they did outside work, and places they went to in Renfrewshire.
Martin Johnston, Head of Sustainability at NHSGGC, said: “High-quality greenspace is increasingly being recognised for its importance, and the new RAH pond is an ideal example of how improvements to the outdoor environment can bring real benefits to the health and wellbeing of our patients, visitors and staff.
“I would like to thank all those who have been involved in this and other important projects at the RAH, and across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.”
Jackie Sands, Senior Arts and Health Lead at NHSGGC, said: “It has long been recognised that health care goes far beyond the therapies that patients receive, and I am pleased that so much work is now being put into the physical environment in which that care is provided.
“The recent developments across the RAH site, and elsewhere in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, made in collaboration with commissioned artists, designers and partnerships, are already attracting positive feedback, and I hope they will be of huge benefit to everybody who receives care, and who works, in all our hospitals.”
In more detail:
The Pond
Over recent years, the pond at the RAH had become overgrown and underused. In 2022, ERZ Landscape Architects were commissioned to turn the pond from a neglected space into a well-loved greenspace for staff, patients, and visitors. Following a period of consultation, proposals to return the pond to its former glory were drawn up. Construction commenced in autumn 2021, after a slight delay to allow the cygnets of a family of swans to fledge without disruption.
The works continued throughout 2022 and the pond is now open and well used by all on site. The addition of an accessible path and boardwalk around the edges of the pond has created a circular loop walk, allowing views over the tranquil space back towards the hospital. As we move into the spring, vegetation around the pond is beginning to grow and the pond will turn it into a green haven for people and wildlife alike. The area provides a peaceful and relaxing spot, ideal for a short walk or for spending some time sitting outside.
The Mural
“The Covid Pandemic brought many challenges to staff, patients and families. Outdoor space became increasingly important to allow patients and families to visit briefly but safely and to staff for respite from the challenging clinical environment, particularly the PPE being worn in Intensive Care Units. The HALO gardens have given us accessible intimate spaces for our use visible from the Intensive Care Unit. The Mural was commissioned to enhance the HALOs further and provide a welcome distraction to all patients overlooking this building.” – Yvonne Dolan, Lead Nurse and Professor Kevin Rooney, Critical Care.
Summer 2022 Renfrewshire artists and local arts groups were invited to submit outline sketches and concepts for the chaplaincy building mural. The design brief called for imagery highlighting the healing power of nature; including the flowers, forget–me-nots and referencing recent planting within the Halo Gardens sitting adjacent to the Chaplaincy building. These plants include rowan trees, wildflowers, juniper shrubs and blueberry shrubs. The winning design selected by Royal Alexandra Hospital Community vote is by Faye Ward. Art Pistol Artist Ali Smith and Rogue One Robert McNamara painted the mural in April 2023.
The HALOs
The concept of a HALO Garden was conceived during lockdown by Felicity Steers and Elle Steele. HALOs (standing for Health Workers and Loved Ones) provided an outdoor sanctuary for friends and families to meet safely when social distancing measures were in place, and have continued to provide a space for socialising and solitude for staff, patients, and visitors now that restrictions have eased. We have four HALO Gardens at the RAH. The most recent addition is the large HALO which is ideal for outdoor staff meetings. The HALO Gardens are a popular place particularly for staff to use on their breaks. They are close to the main thoroughfare of the hospital meaning staff don’t have to travel far to get the therapeutic benefits of spending time outside.
The Renfrewshire Tapestry
The Renfrewshire Tapestry Exhibition comprises several printed boards and two suspended stitched panels which give the viewer an insight into the Renfrew Tapestry community project’s story of the old county of Renfrewshire in threads and fabric, telling the story of its past, present and future.
The printed boards show photographs of panels stitched by groups across Renfrewshire. Each panel is stitched on fabric made of a mix of linen and cotton using stranded cotton threads to embroider each design. The stranded cotton used is made by J&P Coats and Clarks who made threads in Paisley until 1992. Most of the threads used in this tapestry have been donated by people from around Renfrewshire, the UK and the rest of the world in some cases, and are threads that were made in Paisley before the Thread Mills closed down.
Accompanying the panels are embroidered teardrops, circles and crosses made by people from all over the world telling their own personal stories in the form of embroidery. These stories tell tales of where people worked, their families, what they did outside work, and places they went to in Renfrewshire. To date, over 450 of these small embroideries and their accompanying stories have been received and this exhibition aims to encourage more people to take part and tell their stories.
The project is run by a number of people. Andrew Crummy MBE is the project artist and is probably best known for being the artist behind The Great Tapestry of Scotland. Andrew was recently awarded a MBE in the New Year’s honours list for services to community arts. Paula Reynolds is the Renfrewshire stitching coordinator and has been embroidering in various forms for over 30 years. She also works part time as a Nurse Practitioner at NHS 24 and has been a nurse for over 25 years. Paula runs stitching drop in sessions at the RAH. She provides tear drops and stitching packs to patients, visitors and staff who would like to have a go.
The Renfrewshire Tapestry is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Flightpath Funds, Renfrewshire Council Culture, Heritage and Events Fund. The Exhibition partnership was facilitated by the NHSGGC Animating Public Spaces Exhibitions and Events Arts Programme supported by RAH staff and NHSGGC Endowment Funds.