Transforming spaces: art brings calm to specialist rehabilitation unit’s waiting room

Our charity’s Air Arts team recently commissioned artist, Stephanie Cole, to design some artwork for the children’s waiting area within the Specialist Rehabilitation department at Derby’s Florence Nightingale Community Hospital. This waiting area is predominantly for paediatric patients attending the Gait and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) services, but is also used by adults attending these services and those who need a calmer, quieter space.

The project, which was initiated by Helen Evans, Team Leader and Specialist Physiotherapist for the Gait and FES Services, was set up after the team recognised the need for a more welcoming and soothing space for patients who may find the busier main waiting room overwhelming.

“Because we also see adult patients and there are also adults from the Traumatic Brain Injury Team, who struggle with the busier main waiting area environment, we had to consider a design that was both child and adult friendly, without being over-stimulating,” Helen explained.

Stephanie, who has worked with the department before, was the perfect fit for the brief. “It made sense to have the same artist who completed the work for the rest of the department, to maintain the theme and style of artwork”, says Helen. “Stephanie asked us for a brief and has brilliantly captured our thoughts and wishes for the room. The theme in the rest of the department is based on key Derbyshire landmarks and so our room is based on the Chatsworth Estate.”

“This calming space, filled with wildlife and Derbyshire scenery, will be used by children and patients who may feel overwhelmed by a larger space. It was an absolute joy to design and paint and I hope the space is well received by all who use it,” said Stephanie.

The room, once simply painted and lacking character, is now filled with warmth. Reflecting on the transformation, Helen said, “The space is now welcoming and bright and we have had lovely feedback from patients and families of all ages. Along with the colouring and toy box, we have in the room, as well as magazines for adults, we believe this has now created a much more nurturing and inviting area for patients to wait for their appointments.”

Stephanie’s work is just one of many installations delivered by our charity’s Air Arts team. In 2024/25 alone, 234 installations were completed across seven hospital sites in Derby, Derbyshire and Staffordshire –  all made possible through the generosity of donations and fundraising.