Impressive art piece produced by patients and staff unveiled at The Mount

Older People's Inpatient Services and Artlink showcase "We All Make A Difference", a collaborative art piece.

A fantastic collaborative art project has come together with patients and staff from our Older People’s Inpatient Services and four artists from Artlink West Yorkshire. The art piece titled “We All Make A Difference” is now proudly displayed in the main reception area of The Mount.

Rebecca Wharton, Practice Development & Senior Lead Occupational Therapist, Older Peoples Services

“The project between Artlink and the older people’s inpatient wards at the Mount has been a fantastic project to be involved in and oversee. I cannot take any credit for the fantastic artwork and creative abilities our service users and staff have shown when participating in sessions facilitated by artists from Artlink. The video, which is on YouTube, shows the variety of sessions offered and the participation.

The final art piece is made up of representation from the work produced across the functional and dementia older people’s inpatient wards. I am inspired and reminded that I can make a difference every day when I see this art piece. It has brightened the Mount reception area and hopefully means that when people enter the Mount, they are embraced by positivity.”

Older People’s Inpatient Services offers care and support for individuals who have acute mental health needs, including those with dementia. Our inpatient unit, the Mount, provides holistic assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation over a 24-hour period. Although our services are designed for older adults, we welcome individuals under 65 years old who require our support, particularly those who are clinically frail or have younger onset dementia.

Service users, staff and their families looking at the artwork produced.

Gary Poxton, Modern Matron, Mental Health Wards, Older People’s Inpatient Services

“Having received funding through winter monies in 2022 for occupation and therapeutic activity, we engaged with Artlink to work with our patients and staff across the older people’s inpatient wards. As part of the work, I requested that we have a piece of art at the end of the project to display in the Mount reception.

I asked that this capture a sense of inclusivity, with a feel-good factor so that staff arriving and leaving work could feel uplifted and that patients and visitors to the Mount received a warm welcome to the environment. “We All Make A Difference” was a perfect statement to display, and the vibrant colours brightened up the entrance area. I am pleased with the outcome and proud of what the patients and staff have produced and the other pieces to be displayed in the wards.”