Celebrating Black History Month
In October, colleagues across South London and Maudsley celebrated Black History Month.
An exhibition on Maudsley Hospital's Long Corridor highlights the collective effort of staff and service users to explore and celebrate black history and heritage. Acute adult mental health wards at Maudsley Hospital (Ruskin Ward, Eileen Skellern One Ward, Lewis Ward, Jim Birley Ward and John Dixon Ward) all took part in this exhibition.
Occupational therapists and activity coordinators have also been facilitating creative arts workshops on the wards throughout October. They have spent time looking at painting, sculpture and poetry by contemporary and historical black artists and writers as well as listening to music by black artists in these sessions.
In addition, some staff and service users participated in a local Black History themed walk through Camberwell. The walk was developed by Stephen Bourne for Camberwell Arts; it went through different areas where prominent black figures such as Sam King and John Boyega lived, worked or had other connections.
We were also fortunate enough to link up with UK charity, Music & Hospitals and Care, to livestream a concert from British–Nigerian singer song-writer, Ije Amaechi, for service users and staff to enjoy. And last but not least, service users and staff on many of the wards came together to eat cultural dishes, dance, play cultural music, wear traditional clothing, sing and take part in karaoke as a celebration of Black History Month.
