Artwork honouring carers unveiled at Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Representatives from Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity, CHUMS Charity and Revoluton Arts

A new artwork celebrating the unseen work of carers has gone on display at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.

The piece, called Circles of Care, is an excerpt of a textile wall hanging created by artist Mary Hearne and commissioned by Revoluton Arts. It was developed through a series of creative wellbeing workshops involving young carers from CHUMS and 60 NHS staff, who explored the theme of circles as symbols of unity, community and connection.

The installation draws on Ms Hearne’s own experience as an unpaid carer for her parents, alongside the contributions of carers and health workers, and is now permanently displayed in the entrance to the hospital’s surgical block.

Lindsey Pugh, CEO and Creative Director at Revoluton Arts, said: “We were delighted to commission Mary Hearne as a Revoluton Associate, last year, supporting her to deliver her project Carers Create. It’s truly wonderful that Mary’s textile work, created through workshops with Luton’s carers and NHS workers, will now be displayed for many people to admire at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.

“We believe in the power of the arts to connect people across our town, bringing opportunity for creativity, recognising the positive impact this can have on people’s wellbeing and everyday lives. We hope the artwork will be enjoyed by many people for years to come.”

“I am so grateful to take heART and the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital to have this opportunity to share my work,” Ms Hearne said of the trust-wide art and wellbeing group supported by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity. “It is important to me that artwork made with community in mind is also displayed publicly. My hope is that anyone struggling with their caring role will feel a sense of recognition and have their spirits lifted.”

Sheena McLaggan and Rachel Chater, take heART founders, said: “It has been a real pleasure to collaborate with Mary and Revoluton Arts to help highlight the incredibly valuable and often unseen work of carers. We are proud to be part of a project that has put community, collaboration and care at its heart.

“As with all take heART collaborations, we hope this installation helps to enhance the hospital environment, improving the experience of those who visit and work here. We hope this artwork engages all those who pass by, to think about care and what it means to them.”