Boost For Devon NHS Staff To Help Them Relax During Busy Shifts
A new therapeutic sculpture trail is being created in the spaces where Torbay NHS staff have been taking socially-distanced breaks during the pandemic.Boost For Devon NHS Staff To Help Them Relax During Busy Shifts
It's being created in the grounds of Torbay Hospital, near to the staff accommodation block by a Devon-based sculptor.
The so-called 'therapeutic stone sculpture trail' will see stones carved with a word that has special meaning to individual staff.
Carvings will feature a number of languages to reflect the diversity of staff, patients and visitors.
Sculptor Zoe Singleton said: "We know how both green spaces, and the arts, can support wellbeing for us all.Â
"These stones will invite people to spend time in the outside spaces at the hospital. to walk a short trail and take notice of the natural world; or to pause for moments of time out, relaxation and reflection."
Zoe is collaborating with the team at HeArTs (Health and the Arts in Torbay and South Devon) to develop the Waymarker Project with five sculptures to form a trail 'connecting spaces along a route for people to pause, think and reflect as they walk or rest amidst the grass and trees'.
HeArTs supports a range of projects across health and community care sites for therapeutic purposes and which explore the emotional and physical effects of nature on health and wellbeing.
The long-term Waymarker Project is funded by Torbay Culture and commissioned by the Create to Recover programme which has attracted funding from Arts Council England.
The project recognises the importance of wellbeing, which is especially important during COVID-19.
David Alderson, a consultant with the Trust and clinical lead for HeArTs, said: "The green spaces at Torbay Hospital, our hospital’s lungs, are more precious than ever at this time.Â
"We hope that the Waymarkers will help to draw staff towards the benefits, to physical and mental health, of spending time in these areas."
Sculptor Zoe says she wants to know 'what the outside spaces mean for staff, patients and visitors at the hospital and why they are important?'
She is asking for people to send her the word that 'most reflects how the outside spaces at the hospital make you feel'.Â
Staff, visitors and patients are asked to consider completing the following sentence: "I come here for....."
HeArTs would also encourage people to send a video of them speaking their chosen word, or an image of themselves at a favourite outdoor spot in the hospital grounds. All images, words and videos will be included in a short film to celebrate the project.
Those wishing to take part should send their word by emailing zoe@zoesingleton.co.uk before Friday August 28.
The stones will be installed in October 2020 and form the foundation for a sculpture trail that will evolve over the coming years.