An outdoor space at the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick has been brightened up by a community garden installation.

‘The Commons’ 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 into a place of rest, play and nature connection.  

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.

Spectra’s Creative Director, Kate DeRight, said: “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. ”

Sandra Taylor, Senior Arts and Heritage Manager for Your City and Metropolitan Hospitals Charity added: “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.”

To find out more about The Commons and Spectra’s work visit wearespectra.co.uk.