Publish date: 17 December 2025
Patients attending The Life Rooms centre in secure care have come together to bring festive cheer to the centre’s main entrance windows.
Inspired by last year’s frosted snow scene, patients worked alongside staff to develop a colourful new design, choosing a traditional Christmas star and tree theme in bold reds and greens. Using masking tape to map out the shapes, they brought the windows to life with painted holly leaves, berries, and plenty of snow and snowflakes. The finished display creates a warm, welcoming entrance shaped by those who use the centre.
Taking part in this activity gave patients a meaningful opportunity to contribute to their environment, build confidence and take pride in seeing their work on display. This sense of ownership reflects the wider benefits of participatory arts on offer at The Life Rooms, supporting improved mood, reduced anxiety and stronger social connection.
The window artwork forms part of a wider programme of seasonal celebrations, which included a ‘Christmas Showcase’ highlighting patients’ original music and spoken word performance. These creative pieces offered personal reflections on life in secure care, giving patients further opportunities to express themselves and share their individual journeys. Divisional leads and clinical teams were in attendance, and one of the tutors addressed the audience to acknowledge that performing in front of others can often be challenging, while explaining that those that were taking part had said that being involved was a positive and therapeutic experience.
Together, these activities demonstrate how inclusive, co-produced creative work can positively support patient wellbeing.
