Patients visiting the Spires Cleft Centre in Oxford are benefitting from our beautifully refurbished clinic rooms, thanks to an extremely generous donation from the Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation and Oxford Hospitals Charity.
A garden-themed mural was designed by Izzy Matthews of Peagreen, in collaboration with patients and staff from the Spires cleft team. The artwork features a distant horizon of hills and dreaming spires which offer a calming backdrop, while details including butterflies, flowers, birds and even a tooth fairy provide focal points for conversation and distraction.
There is new furniture too, with comfortable chairs, a play table and a cosy nook for those who prefer a quiet space.
The project began when Mary, mother of Cayley who is a patient of the cleft service, invited our team to apply for charitable funding from her employer, Sixt.
On seeing the completed room transformation, Mary said “when my daughter Cayley was born with a cleft palate, I experienced first-hand the profound comfort the Spires Cleft Centre brings to families from the very first day. Their unwavering support through every milestone made all the difference during times of uncertainty and fear of not knowing. The Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation’s donation has turned that same spirit of care into something children can see, feel and breathe in – a nature-inspired haven that brings calm and wonder to little ones who need it most.”
We know that thoughtfully designed environments have a positive impact on how patients feel in hospital, so we are deeply grateful to have received this donation which will benefit our patients and families for many years to come.
A huge thank you to Mary, the Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation and Oxford Hospitals Charity for this incredible gift. Finally, we’re deeply indebted to Sarah from our Oxford team for co-ordinating and energising this exciting project.