Young people, families, and staff at the Richmond Royal Wellbeing Centre are now benefiting from a newly refurbished space, following the relocation of Richmond Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) this spring. The centre, designed to be bright and welcoming, has seen a significant collaborative effort to enhance its atmosphere.
Building on initial input from young service users who helped choose paint colours and artwork, a participation group, led by Dr Annie Townshend, Clinical Psychologist, and Sara Morawetz, Assistant Psychologist, proposed the creation of a 'Tree of Hope' mural for the waiting room. This initiative aimed to further personalise the environment and foster a sense of ownership.
Over two planning sessions, the group, alongside art therapists and other young people, developed the design for the interactive mural. The concept includes inviting young people transitioning out of CAMHS to write encouraging messages on paper leaves to be added to the tree, creating a growing collection of reflections for newcomers and staff.
“"It can be a big deal to come into a group setting with people you don’t know, particularly if you are managing social anxiety. But it was wonderful to see that as people got stuck in with the painting, they became less tentative, more relaxed and started chatting away with each other. It’s been a really special project."
The painting of the mural was a communal effort, with young people and staff working together using materials donated by The Friends of Barnes, a local charity supporting mental health services in Richmond. While a general vision was set, participants were encouraged to add personal touches, strengthening their connection to the final artwork.
The 'Tree of Hope' mural has already received positive feedback from parents and staff, who have praised the artwork and the collaborative spirit behind it. The project has also generated interest among other CAMHS patients, signalling potential for future participation activities. Richmond CAMHS expressed gratitude to all involved for making a significant difference to the waiting room's atmosphere.
