Leading signage specialist, FASTSIGNS Leeds, has helped transform the children’s cancer treatment wing at St James’s Hospital.
The project was carried out in support of local charity, Candlelighters, helping to create a brighter, more engaging environment for children and their families, living with cancer across Yorkshire.
Based in Leeds and serving the region for over 30 years, FASTSIGNS Leeds contributed bespoke signage and environmental graphics to the refurbishment of the Children’s Radiotherapy Department and the hospital’s children’s day unit.
Environmental graphics designed to reduce anxiety
The transformation included refreshing the teenage chillout area and recovery spaces, as well as immersive wall and ceiling graphics, designed to reduce anxiety and provide patients with a positive distraction during their treatments, which can sometimes last for hours.
Working closely with the charity, the team produced and installed over 300 square metres of custom self-adhesive vinyl graphics, across multiple walls, floors and ceiling tiles.
Working in conjunction with Scamp Creative, FASTSIGNS developed wall graphics featuring calming colours, imaginative illustrations and interactive elements, such as animals and butterflies for children to count. The designs help shift focus away from the clinical setting, to provide a visual distraction from procedures.
Delivering the project within a busy hospital setting required careful planning and phased access. Work in the radiotherapy department was completed before patients returned to the newly-refurbished area, which also benefited from new flooring, cabinetry and mood lighting to create a cohesive, welcoming and bright space.
FASTSIGNS’ work was carried out on a voluntary basis, with production support from suppliers, such as Antalis and Metamark. With up to seven team members at a time, including members of the sales team, supporting installations depending on availability, demonstrating the company’s wider commitment to community support.
Designing spaces that feel less clinical
Andy Simpson, Director at FASTSIGNS Leeds, said: “It was important that the space didn’t feel like a typical hospital. The goal was to create an environment that could comfort, reassure and provide distraction for children during what is, understandably, a very challenging time. Some rooms now give children something to engage with, whether that’s counting butterflies on the walls or spotting animals on the ceiling. If we can make their experience even a little more comfortable, then it’s totally worthwhile.
“It was also fantastic to see the entire team come together and volunteer their time to help bring this project to life, showing how much can be achieved when a community works together to support children and families, during such an important, often difficult, time.”
