Cover image: Brushstrokes Sandwell
‘The Commons’, a new community garden installation, has been built by Spectra, a Sandwell-based neurodiverse creative collective. The multi-arts organisation, which works to lift the capacity of learning disabled people to influence change, has transformed the community garden of the brand new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) into a place of rest, play and nature connection.
Photo: Brushstrokes Sandwell
The Commons has been designed and created collaboratively with the local community, engaging 775 people through 61 community workshops. Ideas for the playful and inclusive garden space were developed in a series of co-design workshops that took place in Spring 2024, supported by The National Lottery Community Fund. Community co-creation workshops continued over the Summer and Autumn with ongoing support from Arts Council England, Severn Trent Community Fund, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, and Your City and Metropolitan Hospitals Charity. In these workshops, participants made mosaics, flags and painted stones that are embedded into The Commons. A team of artists, designers, gardeners and performers have transformed these ideas and creations into an installation woven into the hospital’s green spaces with swirling planters, curving shapes, places of play and reflection, biodiversity and sensory-enriching planting and full of creations made by the local community.
On The Commons, Spectra’s Creative Director, Kate DeRight, says, “The Commons was designed and created collaboratively with the local community so that their sense of belonging was built into the space. It is called The Commons because it is a space for all of us: for rest, for respite, for fun, for connection, for learning and for art. We’re looking forward to the flowers blooming and the birds to begin visiting; once the garden is filled with people it will really start to blossom. ”
Natalie Cunningham, Severn Trent Community Fund Manager, said: “The Commons is such a beautiful haven for the hospital and those who will be using it as a place to rest and enjoy the outdoors. The garden has turned out so well and it is wonderful to see so many members of the community getting involved in its design and creation from the very beginning. We look forward to seeing the garden blossom, grow and be an amazing facility for everyone who pays it a visit and uses it for a place of peace and to connect with nature.”
Sandra Taylor, Senior Arts and Heritage Manager at City and Metropolitan Hospitals Charity said: “We are very grateful to Spectra for bringing this unique outdoor community space to enhance the hospital environment. The Commons will encourage patients, visitors as well as staff to relax and spend time with nature. We hope that The Commons will provide people with a chance to connect with nature as well as attract new visitors like bees and butterflies.”
The Commons is open to the public and can be found in the community gardens at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Grove Ln, Smethwick B66 2QT. To find out more about The Commons and Spectra’s work visit https://wearespectra.co.uk/the-commons/ or follow Spectra on social media @spectraartscompany.
Spectra is grateful for the funding of £47,000 by the Severn Trent Community Fund for The Commons. The community garden was also made possible by funding from partners Your City and Metropolitan Hospitals Charity, core funding from Arts Council England, and support from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.
Many thanks to community partners South Asian Family Services, Brushstrokes Men’s Group, Murray Hall Community Trust, Sandwell Libraries and Museums, OASIS Foundry Academy, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust Paediatric Ward, Bearwood Community Hub, and Spectra’s Community Company.
