Publish date: 25 July 2025
Exciting opportunity for Berwick residents to contribute to mobile sculpture for new community hospital
The mobile sculpture will hang in the atrium of the new Berwick Community Hospital, so it will be one of the first things people see as they enter the building.
The sculpture, which is being created by artists Sum.Place, is now moving into its next phase.
Residents and stakeholders are invited to come along and make a fish that will be added to the sculpture. This is an exciting opportunity because it means the sculpture will be the community’s artwork and people have a chance to be a part of the hospital and Berwick’s history.
Workshops will be held on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 August at St. Aidan’s Hall. 46F Church St, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DX. Spaces are limited to six people per session so booking is required. To secure a place, visit the links below:
To book a workshop on Wednesday 6 August, visit - www.
To book a workshop on Thursday 7 August, visit - www.
Due to the machinery that will be used, everyone taking part must be a minimum age of 12.
Artwork in hospitals has been proven to have a significant impact on the wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors. Being able to engage with artwork, particularly in a clinical setting can provide a welcome distraction from the emotions often associated with being in hospital.
Sustainability is a key area of focus for the trust so this was one of the criteria for the sculpture. NHS waste plastic has been sourced to create the fish ensuring that the use of new materials is minimised.
Inspired by the town’s fishing industry, a total of 2250 recycled plastic salmon will be suspended from the ceiling and will vary in size from 74 – 300mm in length. The variation of fish, flowing in the shape of the River Tweed, will produce a calming feeling, combating the feeling of anxiety people may feel when entering the hospital.
The process of making the fish involves pouring recycled plastic shred into an injection machine, pushing the melted plastic into a mould that forms each fish. Every salmon will be unique as the combination of the manufacture and material will create variations in the colours and patterns produced.
A smaller portable machine will be taken out to the workshops so people can see the process and create their own fish that will form the sculpture.
Nic Quinn, creative producer at Sum.Place, said: “We're inviting people to make a fish of their own for the final sculpture - each one will be part of something bigger. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get creative and be part of a shared artwork that will bring colour and calm to the new hospital. We hope it offers a small moment of joy for everyone who takes part and for those who’ll see it in place for years to come.
Katie Dawson, healing arts programme manager, said: “Enhancing hospitals with art is something we’re passionate about and when we can involve the local community it’s even better. From previous projects we’ve seen the pride people have when either their work is on display or they have contributed to a bigger project. That’s the feeling we want to replicate.”
The project has been organised by Bright’s healing arts programme to enhance the hospital environment.
Media contact
Louise Alexander, social media and digital assistant
louise.alexander@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk