New ‘colourful and fun’ mural unveiled in University Hospital Limerick

‘CREATE while you wait’ is the motto and title of a child support programme in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) that has just unveiled a new mural. 

Limerick artist Chelsea Canavan created a “colourful and fun” mural in the nurses station in the paediatric department of UHL, on behalf of the Helium Arts charity.

As well as the new wall painting, Chelsea helped support children between the ages of six and 18 by designing ‘bespoke’ creative activity packs. 

“The mural is colourful and fun, and it links with some of the activities we do in the waiting room,” Chelsea said about her new design in the clinic.

“For example, the squirrels playing catch with the acorns represent the playfulness of our interactions with the children, the rainbow represents the colour and imagination in the activities we do, and the bees buzzing around represent the hive of creativity in the waiting room.” 

A Clare parent who visits the clinic with her two daughters, aged four and eight, said working with the artist in UHL is “a great way to keep the children calm and to keep them entertained while they are waiting. It makes a visit to the hospital less scary and more fun.” 

Helium Arts partnered with UHL to commission the Create While You Wait outpatients programme, which, according to a 2022 survey, 94% of children reported ‘feeling happier’ going to hospital for their appointments, thanks to the programme. 

Helium Arts’ national Creative Health Hub Programme is supported by the Creative Ireland Programme, the Department of Health, the HSE, and the Arts Council. The Creative Health Programme in Limerick also receives funding from the JP McManus Benevolent Fund.