Could you lead our new Art Programme for Barnes Hospital?
A new chapter is beginning at Barnes Hospital, where modern mental health facilities and a new Special Educational Needs (SEN) school are taking shape as part of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust’s (SWLSTG) Better Communities Programme.
Opening in autumn 2027, the redeveloped site in the London Borough of Richmond, East Sheen, will bring together healthcare, education and community spaces in a setting designed to break down stigma and make high‑quality mental health support more accessible.
Central to this vision is the creation of a dynamic, community‑rooted art programme. In partnership with the Friends of Barnes Hospital, the Trust is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic consultant or organisation to lead the development and delivery of artworks and murals for the new facility.
This new art programme will build on the success of previous arts initiatives delivered through the Better Communities Programme – most notably the co‑produced and widely celebrated artworks created at Springfield Hospital. There, artists, patients, carers and the wider community collaborated through a series of workshops, resulting in vibrant installations throughout the hospital.
At Barnes, the ambition is to curate a collection of artworks that are collaborative, compassionate, and sustainable – pieces that reflect local history, nature, celebrate the culture and identity of Richmond, and promote wellbeing for patients, staff and visitors. The programme will prioritise co‑production, ensuring that people with lived experience, as well as local communities, play a central role in the creative process.
Ian Garlington, Programme Director for Better Communities said: “Our ambition for Barnes Hospital is to create a place that feels welcoming, inspiring and deeply connected to the community it serves. Art has a powerful role to play in breaking down stigma, supporting wellbeing and helping people feel at ease when they walk through our doors.
“By working closely with the Friends of Barnes Hospital and inviting artists and local people to co‑produce this programme, we have a wonderful opportunity to honour the history of the site while shaping a creative, compassionate environment for the future. I’m excited to see the ideas, collaborations and conversations this project will spark.”
Kathy Sheldon, Chair of the Friends of Barnes said: “We are pleased to be working alongside the Trust to support this important initiative at Barnes Hospital.
“As the site continues to evolve, we are encouraged to see a strong focus on creating spaces that are welcoming, inclusive and connected to the local community. We look forward to seeing the art programme play a key role in shaping a positive, community-focused environment for patients, staff and local residents alike, while reflecting the character of the area and the people it serves.”
About the programme and how to apply
With £40,000 jointly funded by the Trust (£10,000) and the Friends of Barnes Hospital (£30,000), the programme will run from autumn 2026 to summer 2027, with installation due in spring/summer 2027. The consultant will lead programme design, engagement workshops, artist selection, project management, budget oversight, and coordination with the building team.
Individuals and organisations with a strong track record in community arts, co‑production, and project management are invited to apply.
Applications (no more than 2,000 words) should outline:
- Your experience and background
- Your proposed approach to meeting the brief: Download the brief
- How you would deliver co‑production, community engagement and robust project management
Supporting materials such as PDFs or presentations may also be included.
Please submit your application by 5pm on Wednesday 19 August to: BetterEnvironments@swlstg.nhs.uk
