Mini Makeovers for Victoria School
A doctor’s consultation room in need of modernisation at a Birmingham special school has been transformed into a warm and welcoming private space for pupils, parents, and nursing staff to meet thanks to a multi-coloured charity makeover. Delighted pupils and nurses have given the thumbs-up to the new décor and furniture in the clinic room at Victoria School in Northfield after the team approached the BCHC Charity for support.
Fresh paint, new furniture and bedding, and an eye-catching ‘fantasy land’ mural spanning an entire wall have transformed the room in an effort to create a bright, comforting space for pupils and their families. Andrea Griffiths leads a multi-disciplinary team based at the school, which caters for just over 200 pupils aged from 2 to 19 years old.
Andrea said: “Working closely with our teaching colleagues, we provide specialist care for children and young people with multiple complex health needs. Many of these pupils have ‘advanced care plans’, which identify the wishes of parents, carers, and the pupils themselves as to the course of action they would like to take at the end-stages of their life. Many of the care plans are discussed in school with nurses and consultants at what is a very difficult time for families, and we have been very aware that the doctor’s clinic room at Victoria was in need of some ‘TLC’ for sensitive conversations of this kind.
“I wanted the room to be less clinical looking and have a more warm, comfortable, and inviting feel. I liaised with the BCHC Charity to see if they could help fund a ‘mini makeover’. The support I have received has been fantastic and enabled the nursing team to choose the wallpaper, colour of the paint, and flooring together. My husband did the decorating and we held a raffle to raise more funds for some toys.
“We now have a beautiful, vibrant room which is inviting for pupils and their families which means that, whether families are receiving good or difficult news, it will be delivered in a more positive environment.”
Charity Manager Sarah Binks said: “We were very pleased to help make Andrea’s vision a reality and are making plans to support similar makeover initiatives in the other special schools around Birmingham where we have nursing teams based.”
Another clinical room at the school was decorated with playful murals and a new wall-mounted play panel. Senior Physiotherapist Jayne Towson approached the charity to fund the additions to the room; “Our service will now have access to a clinic room that is more inviting & interactive, with the inclusion of wall toys that can be used in therapy sessions.”
Children attending clinic at the school have really appreciated the updated décor, with Holly describing the toy brick mural as “terrific; it’s pretty and makes the room brighter”, and Alanna giving a thumbs up to the hot air balloon mural. Jayne continues; “The murals are a real talking point and a distraction for the children, they provoke much conversation and many smiles. The hippo play panel is popular amongst the little children. As physios, we work towards children to come up into standing positions which this encourages as well. We are so grateful for them.”