Much-loved local children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson is the inspiration behind a beautiful newlyrefurbished Isolation Room on Ash Ward at St Peter’s Hospital which was installed this week.
Bright and colourful images inspired by Dame Jacqueline Wilson’s books, such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather, now adorn the previously plain and clinical walls of the Isolation Room, where very sick children can spend up to several days at a time being treated.
The room has been completely renovated and redesigned by local children’s charity Momentum, made possible thanks to the generous donation of £7,200 donated by The Wisley Foundation.
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, also assisted the project.
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.”
Ash Ward manager Karen Spence said: “The Jacqueline Wilson refurbishment has completely transformed the isolation room from a bland, clinical-looking hospital room to a bright and colourful space, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Some children will spend days on end isolated in this room, and having a cheery-looking room with storyboards as wall art to distract them can make such a difference to their recovery. We can’t thank Momentum and the Wisley Foundation enough for making this makeover possible.”
In addition to refurbishing large areas of the Paediatric Department at St Peter’s Hospital, including the entire Little Oaks Ward, to enhance the healing environment, Momentum provides emotional and practical support to many families at the hospital as part of its Family Support Programme.
Momentum, based in Kingston-upon-Thames, receives no government funding so relies entirely on the support of the public and funds raised through its charity work. To find out more about the charity visit www.moment-um.org
