Poems and artwork by Newcastle Hospitals staff is being showcased on Metro platforms as part of a poetry exhibition.
The new works are a result of the first Newcastle Hospitals Charity writer-in-residence programme for Newcastle Hospitals staff, hosted in partnership with writing development agency for the North of England, New Writing North.
Creative results from the project can be seen on poster sites in four Metro stations: Hebburn, Wallsend, West Jesmond as well as Longbenton.
Staff have written about the joy and frustration of their professional lives; their personal experience of illness and being a carer; and the value of the NHS.
Odeth Richardson, Head of Occupational Therapy at Newcastle Hospitals, took part in the programme and three of her bespoke poems are now on display at Longbenton Metro station. They include: The Rhythms of Home, Like a Phoenix, and These Little Things.
Like a Phoenix is a rallying cry to hope. It reads: “When cultures are rotten and behaviour is vile/ When change seems hopeless and people can’t smile/ When expectations mount and support is gone/ Like a Phoenix, I rise.”
Odeth said: “The writer-in-residence programme was a god send for me as it helped me to develop my creative side but also provided a medium I could use to de-stress and support my wellbeing.
“It came at the right time. I have continued writing since the programme and it helps me to put things down that would normally occupy me and I can forget about it by channelling it into something positive. I am so pleased I could participate in this as it’s helped me to cope with challenges in other areas of my life. A huge thank you to the team for providing us with this outlet.”
Other work included in the exhibition includes work from Ashley Price consultant in Infectious diseases who treated some of the first UK Covid cases, a clinical perfusionist and a public health consultant who experienced becoming a caregiver when her son developed a chronic illness, and complex medical needs.
Katie Newell, Arts Programme Manager of Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said: “The opportunity for staff to express their thoughts and feelings with colleagues and for a wider audience has had a positive impact on their wellbeing and sense of agency, and the residency has been such a success that we are continuing to work with Laura, to support creative writing opportunities in response to demand from staff.”
She added: “The evidence is overwhelming around the positive impacts of creativity, from singing to creative writing, on staff and patients. It can help alleviate pain, depression, and improve quality of life and self-esteem. These interventions can contribute to saving the NHS millions. For example, research shows there is a £6.62 social return on investment for every £1 invested in visual arts interventions for dementia.”
Longbenton Metro station has built an unlikely reputation as an alternative venue to showcase poetry, it displays poetry to over a million customers who use the station each year.
Sarah McCourt, Head of Marketing, Communications and Information at Nexus, said: “Longbenton Metro station has become the home of poetry. People don’t expect to see art and poetry in public places like train stations, but Metro already has a long history of displaying art on the network, and the writing on display expands on that. We’re really proud to support this very special exhibition of Newcastle Hospitals staff writing. We hope the work will surprise and inspire our customers.”
Anna Disley, Executive Director at New Writing North, said: “Those working on the frontline of the NHS go through intense life and death emotions on a daily basis. They face enormous challenges, which demand very human qualities of empathy, resilience and courage, which shine in the work they have written. Travel and commuting offers valuable space for us to read. We hope the work captures daily commuters and lift them out of their routine, showing the power words can have to transport, empower, and inspire.”
A full list of work included in the exhibition and their locations can be found below.
West Jesmond
- I Said They Said by Jo McCullough
- Speaking with Paul Henderson on Taking Heart
- The Story by Anonymous
Longbenton
- Odeth Richardson – The Rhythms of Home, Like a Phoenix,These Little Things
Wallsend
- Jamie Conway on Learning to Breathe
- Ashley Price on COVID and making Marks
Hebburn
- Speaking with Steven on Dolly Rock, Jolly Socks, and Adult Diagnosis
- Parky v The Nash by Michael S. Allen
- Whose shoes by Balsam Ahmad
- At Work by Anonymous
- The Mirror on the Cancer Ward by Yincent Tse
- The Ideal Space by Anonymous
- 22 by Rachel
- Milestone by Vicky Thomas
- The Morning Journey by Anonymous
Note – Image of Odeth Richardson used with credit to North News and Pictures
