A creative project led by one of our Wellbeing Volunteers, Wendy Ronaldson, has brought patients, families, carers, staff, volunteers and community groups together to create a stunning collaborative artwork for our Hospice.
Inspired by David Hockney’s Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, Wendy launched The Bigger Picture to give everyone connected to our Hospice an opportunity to be part of something meaningful and to have their voice represented within a shared piece of art.
The original image was divided into 165 numbered tiles. We invited participants to recreate their individual section using a range of materials, including crayons, paints and felt-tip pens. Once completed, each tile was placed back into position, gradually revealing the artwork as a whole.
Throughout the project, people from across our Hospice community took part, including inpatients, outpatients, family members, friends, carers, staff and local community groups.
For many of us, the project was about much more than creating art.
Wendy said: “The Prince of Wales Hospice is a place where emotions can run high. Resilience, bravery, laughter, dignity and, most of all, love and care are shared here every day. It was wonderful to engage with so many people through this project. Some were initially unsure and would say, ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I can’t draw’. But with a little encouragement, many decided to give it a try. Sometimes it isn’t about creating the perfect picture. It’s about letting go, taking part and having a go. People were often surprised by what they could achieve and proud of their contribution, which was incredibly rewarding to see.”
As each tile was added, the artwork slowly came to life, demonstrating the power of collaboration and the importance of every individual contribution. Together, the completed piece reflects the spirit of our Hospice community and reminds us that even during challenging times, moments of creativity, connection and hope can flourish.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Wendy for leading this inspiring project and to everyone who took part in creating The Bigger Picture. Every tile played a part in bringing the final artwork to life, proving that when we come together as a community, we can achieve something incredibly special.
To find out more about our wellbeing services available and the support we offer to patients, carers and families, visit www.pwh.org.uk/our-care/wellbeing-and-activities/.
