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Caring Work

Our National Health Stories has been developed from a programme of creative story gathering across all trusts in summer 2023. Caring Work is one of these projects, celebrating our staff.

Table top designs

Artist Simon Grennan has been talking to housekeeping, cleaning, portering and estates and facilities staff and listening to their experiences.

From these conversations he's selected 12 reflections by staff to create table top designs to install in all cafés and restaurants across our four hospitals, which are seen below - you will need to click on the thumbnail to see the complete image.
  • It's really important to make patients feel important. Christiane, Cleaning.
    It's really important to make patients feel important. Christiane, Cleaning.
  • This is a Shakespearean comedy / drama. We all keep the show going for patients. Luan, Estates.
    This is a Shakespearean comedy / drama. We all keep the show going for patients. Luan, Estates.
  • The hospital is the greatest show on Earth! Paul, Estates.
    The hospital is the greatest show on Earth! Paul, Estates.
  • The best part of the job is listening to stories. Martin, Estates.
    The best part of the job is listening to stories. Martin, Estates.
  • We're in the same band... but we play different instruments. Mark, Estates.
    We're in the same band... but we play different instruments. Mark, Estates.
  • A smile goes a long way - It's a massive part of what we do. Daniel, Estates.
    A smile goes a long way - It's a massive part of what we do. Daniel, Estates.
  • The smallest number of words can change someone's day. Martenz, Portering.
    The smallest number of words can change someone's day. Martenz, Portering.
  • I don't know if patients understand what I do... but I know that they feel. Antonio, Portering.
    I don't know if patients understand what I do... but I know that they feel. Antonio, Portering.
  • Without us there would be no hospital... We ensure that everyone else can do their work. Mark, Estates.
    Without us there would be no hospital... We ensure that everyone else can do their work. Mark, Estates.
  • We are directly connected to patients because we are physically connected to them. Amal, Portering.
    We are directly connected to patients because we are physically connected to them. Amal, Portering.
  • Good food cheers you up. It's important for patients. Good cooking adds to the quality of life. Tomasz, Catering.
    Good food cheers you up. It's important for patients. Good cooking adds to the quality of life. Tomasz, Catering.
  • I'm interested in how patients feel. I have repeat patients. I catch up. They remember my name! Martin, Estates.
    I'm interested in how patients feel. I have repeat patients. I catch up. They remember my name! Martin, Estates.
  • "It's really important to make patients feel important."
    Christiane, Cleaning.
    [Table top design for the M&S Café, John Radcliffe Hospital]
  • "This is a Shakespearean comedy / drama. We all keep the show going for patients."
    Luan, Estates.
    [Table top design for the Belota Café, George Pickering Education Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital]
  • "The hospital is the greatest show on Earth!"
    Paul, Estates.
    [Table top design for the Level 3 Restaurant, John Radcliffe Hospital]
  • "The best part of the job is listening to stories."
    Martin, Estates.
    [Table top design for the League of Friends Café, Level 2, John Radcliffe Hospital]
  • "We're in the same band... but we play different instruments."
    Mark, Estates.
    [Table top design for the League of Friends Café, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital]
  • "A smile goes a long way - It's a massive part of what we do."
    Daniel, Estates.
    [Table top design for Pret a Manger, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital]
  • "The smallest number of words can change someone's day."
    Martenz, Portering.
    [Table top design for the Restaurant, Churchill Hospital]
  • "I don't know if patients understand what I do... but I know that they feel."
    Antonio, Portering.
    [Table top design for the Costa Coffee, Churchill Hospital]
  • "Without us there would be no hospital... We ensure that everyone else can do their work."
    Mark, Estates.
    [Table top design for the League of Friends Café, Churchill Hospital]
  • "We are directly connected to patients because we are physically connected to them."
    Amal, Portering.
    [Table top design for the atrium, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre]
  • "Good food cheers you up. It's important for patients. Good cooking adds to the quality of life."
    Tomasz, Catering.
    [Table top design for the Restaurant, Horton General Hospital]
  • "I'm interested in how patients feel. I have repeat patients. I catch up. They remember my name!"
    Martin, Estates.
    [Table top design for the Restaurant, Horton General Hospital]

This project has been developed by Artlink, the Trust's arts programme and funded by Oxford Hospitals Charity.
Last reviewed:27 November 2023

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