The Friends of Conquest Hospital were approached by frontline colleagues in our Conquest paediatric emergency department, who had spotted an opportunity to transform an unused courtyard, a space clearly visible from paediatric inpatient beds but previously offering nothing to brighten a child’s day, into something more interesting and uplifting for our youngest patients.
That spark of frontline creativity set everything in motion. Several ideas were explored, but none felt quite right until someone suggested reaching out to Mr Doodle. The Friends of Conquest Hospital team sent him a formal proposal, and, to everyone’s delight, his team said yes.
The wall is the main view for children waiting for or receiving care in our emergency department at Conquest, yet it was a blank, uninteresting surface. The new mural completely transforms the experience. For young people arriving in an unfamiliar, often intimidating environment, colour and creativity can make an enormous difference. Research shows that engaging, detailed artwork helps reduce anxiety, softens the clinical feel of hospitals, and creates a more welcoming space for children, families and for hospital colleagues.
Jo Clark, General Manager of The Friends, said “This project is exactly the kind of grassroots, colleague‑led improvement The Friends of Conquest Hospital exists to champion: frontline ideas becoming real, joyful change for patients, colleagues and visitors alike, and in this case, bringing a powerful sense of community pride by showcasing a world‑class artist with local roots.”
Mr Doodle is a globally recognised graffiti artist best known for his signature “Doodle World”, a joyful universe of characters, patterns and shapes that spill beyond the canvas onto furniture, clothing, cars, buildings and even his fully doodled home. Mr Doodle said:
“My family and I frequently visit Hastings, and we have sometimes used Conquest Hospital in the past. It is a privilege to have been asked to donate art in the form of a mural to this hospital.
“I love to make art because it makes me feel good. I love the fact that it can make others happy too. Ultimately, I do it because I am obsessed with how it feels to do, it just feels like the right thing to do with my time.
“I think humans have an instinctive desire to communicate and that comes through all kinds of things like making noise, expressions, writing and of course art too. I think we want to share what’s in our head and for me that’s a doodle language.
“I really hope that when the youngest patients of the Conquest Hospital see this artwork outside their department that they enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it”
The full mural is best viewed from within our paediatric emergency department, giving children a vibrant, joyful scene to look at during what can be an anxious time. A portion of the artwork is also visible to interested patients and visitors, who can peek through the window of the courtyard viewing point.