The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead has created a new mental health room for young people in crisis. This special room is in the Paediatrics Emergency Care Department and was made to be a calm and safe place for young people who need help during difficult times.
The idea: A safe and quiet space
The idea for the room came from the need to offer a quiet, safe space for young people going through a mental health crisis. Hospital wards can be very noisy and stressful, and this room was designed to feel different—calm, warm, and welcoming.
The hospital’s Estates team planned the room carefully to make sure it was safe, while local young artists from the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art helped make it feel more comfortable. The result is now a cosy inviting space.
A team effort
The hospital worked with a group of young artists from BALTIC’s Young Producers. This group is made up of young people aged 14 to 19 who work with artists to create art for public spaces. The Young Producers meet every Saturday to plan projects that can help the local community.
For this project, they thought about how colours and designs could make the room feel calm. The group chose gentle, floral patterns to create a peaceful atmosphere. The artwork was hand-painted by some of the young artists, including Alex and Lizzie (BALTIC’s freelance artist and producer), following a design brief from the Young Producers, who used a clever method of projecting their design onto the walls before freehand painting over it.
A room for comfort
Instead of filling the room with typical hospital furniture, like beds, the room has a large bean bag and a comfy chair. Soon, a TV will also be added to help young people relax. The goal was to make the room feel safe and peaceful, so young people can rest and feel calm.
The team also plans to add calming music to the room to make it even more soothing for anyone who needs it.
Mental health first aid kits
When young people come to the room, they are given a mental health first aid kit. These kits contain things that can help them feel better and more relaxed. The kits were made with ideas from young people who have been through similar crises.
Inside the kit, there are mindfulness colouring books, soft socks, therapy putty, toothbrushes, basic toiletries, and lavender pillow spray. There is also an emotional well-being passport, where young people can write down important information about themselves, like what makes them feel upset and how they can be calmed down. This helps hospital staff understand their needs without them having to repeat themselves.
Art that helps
For the Young Producers, this project wasn’t just about making the room look nice; it was about crafting a space that could genuinely support the young people who use it. As one of the artists, Lara Elliott, said:
It’s been really fun to design something that helps others. It feels meaningful.
They even included a blackboard in the room, offering young people a chance to create their own artwork and leave their mark. This special room is already helping young people feel more at ease during tough times. It shows what can happen when people come together to make a difference, creating a safe and peaceful place for healing.
What’s next?
There are still a few finishing touches to be added, like the TV and music, but the room is already making a big difference. This project shows how art, creativity, and teamwork can create something special—a space where young people can find peace and start to feel better.