Service user art showcased on site hoardings at new mental health hospital in Bexhill
27 November 2024
Local artists who have, or continue to use, mental health services in East Sussex are having their work displayed on the hoardings of Combe Valley Hospital currently being built in Bexhill.
The impressive display of 16 works of art, which now adorn the hoardings in Mount View Street, was unveiled last week and feature contributions from 11 talented artists who live in and around East Sussex.
All of the works of art focus on the Natural World which will be the overarching theme for the new hospital when it opens towards the end of 2025.
Combe Valley Hospital is being built by Kier on behalf of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT). It will be a state-of-the-art 54-bed mental health hospital for adults of working age and older people containing three 18-bed wards, all with individual bedrooms and en suite bathrooms.
SPFT's Arts and Health Lead, Lucy Wells, said:
"This has been a fantastic opportunity for people who have accessed mental health services in East Sussex to share their artistic talent and have their works on display for everyone to see and enjoy.
"The beautiful collection of artworks really does create a more inviting, exciting and positive environment for staff and visitors to the construction site and also for the local community while building work is ongoing.
"Creativity in all its forms can be integral to living and staying well for all of us, especially when facing challenges in our mental health. We are really proud to be able to showcase this display of creativity in a public space, and are so grateful to the artists for sharing their work and to the staff who have supported them to do so."
Kier Construction Southern’s senior project manager, Ed Dwight, added:
"Both for our team and people who pass our site daily, the art now on our hoardings will be a vibrant reminder of just how important this new hospital will be for the people of East Sussex.
“Knowing that our efforts will have a positive impact on the community for years to come makes this a special place to work, and we’re proud to be able to provide a place to showcase this art.”
