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New artwork
proposed for the new Royal unveiled
STUNNING glass artwork
proposed for the main entrances of the new Royal Liverpool
University Hospital are being revealed to the public for the first
time as part of celebrations counting down 1,000 days until the
hospital opens.
The artwork, a modern interpretation of a very large stained glass
window has been designed by renowned, award-winning glass artist
Alexander Beleschenko. The proposed designs will greet people to the
building with this uplifting and colourful glass work at entrances
facing Prescot Street and West Derby Street. The glass work in both
entrances will cover an area of 217 square metres in total
Alexander said:- "Music is the inspiration behind the two
entrance artworks. This is a direct response to the huge musical
tradition associated with Liverpool. But one of the great things
about using glass is that people will find their own readings and
interpretations as light on the glass constantly changes. The
artistic intention is that these artworks signify arrival and
generate a positive feeling to those coming into the hospital. The
colours are very contrasting and basically prime and bright."
The proposed artwork, along with images of how the interiors of the
hospital will look, were revealed as the Trust counts down 1,000
days until the new Royal opens in 2017.
As part of the celebrations the Trust has commissioned (funded from
external sponsorship) renowned light artist Andy McKeown to produce
a short light show illustrating the transformation of healthcare in
the City that will be projected onto the current construction. This
was shown on Wednesday, 29 October 2014.
Helen Jackson, director of strategy and transformation said:-
"It is amazing to think that we are only 1,000 days away from
opening the new Royal. We wanted to mark this moment by illustrating
more of how the hospital will look and feel. Key to this is the
wonderful artwork of Alexander Beleschenko. This will have a huge
aesthetic impact on the new Royal and there is considerable evidence
to show that artwork can have a positive impact on people's
physiological and psychological health. We're holding events
for our staff and others who have supported the new Royal and we'll
be hosting special events for others every 100 days, until the new
Royal opens."
Construction of the state of the art new Royal is progressing
rapidly, with three lift shafts completed and dominating the skyline
at the end of Edge Lane. By early November there will be a total of
5 tower cranes on site.
Work on the foundations and underground drainage is progressing
well. By the end of October 2014 the foundations for the main hospital
are expected to be complete. Work has also started on the concrete
flooring and superstructure.
In addition to the activity on site, Carillion have so far recruited
20 local apprentice plumbers and 20 local apprentice electricians to
work on the new Royal. This follows 2 events Carillion held to
highlight the construction apprenticeship opportunities available on
the project.
Carillion have also allocated over £30,500 to 19 Liverpool based
community organisations and charities to support the work they do
for local people, from a fund of £100,000 that will be distributed
over the next 3 years.
New videos showing the construction site and progress up to now have
been released:-
► Aerial video of construction site
► Timelapse video of progress on the construction site |
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Teens push
poverty to centre stage
A hard hitting play about
the impact of poverty; influenced by young people from across
Merseyside; is to be performed in Liverpool next month. 'Brass Razoo'
is based on the stories of 140 young people, who have
contributed their thoughts and ideas about what it is like growing
up in deprivation as part of a national project called Poverty Ends
Now (Pen).
It has been turned into a play by youth theatre company Season's
playhouse and performed at the Black-E on Thursday 6 November,
during Living Wage week.
Season's playhouse writer, Harry McMullen, aged 18, said:-
"Brass Razoo is the culmination of these 140 voices calling to
action against the very real problems facing them in Liverpool
today."
Season's playhouse founder, Ellis Howard, aged 17, began working on
the project when he was 15. He said:- "I am so excited for
this opportunity to combine my two greatest passions, theatre and
politics and I am happy that Brass Razoo has already made a
conscious contribution to my community."
The first night will feature a youth led, community discussion about
what could be done to help people on low incomes across the region,
with Liverpool West Derby MP Stephen Twigg, Liverpool City Council's
Cabinet member for children's services Councillor Jane Corbett and
Whitechapel Homelessness Centre Chief Executive Dave Carter taking
part.
Dave Carter of Whitechapel Homelessness Service, said:- "Over
the last three years we have seen a 38% increase in the number of
people using our services. Of the 2,485 people who came through our
door last year, we were able to support 1,103 into accommodation,
and prevented a further 921 from becoming homeless. The number of
people coming to us because of debt and poverty has increased too.
Last year we distributed a shocking 553 food vouchers, an increase
of 73 per cent on the previous year. It's great to see young people
highlighting these sorts of issues."
Imran Hussain, of Child Poverty Action Group, says:- "Child
Poverty Action Group's report, the Cost of a Child, reveals parents
who are on low pay are unable to meet the basic costs to provide an
adequate standard of living for their child. A couple on minimum
wage are short by 18 per cent and for a lone parent this figure is
13 per cent. This shortfall is drastically higher for the children
of parents who are unemployed because social security payments fall
far short of meeting basic needs. The benefit cap essentially means
a cut to the amount help the families and children in greatest need
receive. As a Living Wage advocate, CPAG recognises the
correlation between low wages, underemployment and poverty and the
need for this to be rectified in order to prevent the spread of
poverty. Areas where there are higher levels of part time employment
and unemployment see families that are struggling. It's a
testament to the young people of this project that they recognise
these issues are having an impact on their community and have a
direct relationship to poverty. It's important that this narrative
is understood and awareness raised in order to improve outcomes for
those who continue to struggle by on a low income."
Rys Farthing from Oxford University, who has worked with the young
people on the project, said:- "It's brilliant to see so many
young people from around the Liverpool region come together to
tackle this important community issue. They're really leading the
way."
Young people from Liverpool, along with others from Manchester, the
North East and London, also contributed to a 6 point manifesto
presented to more than 100 MPs and Peers at the Houses of Parliament
earlier this month which called for:-
► Every family to meet a minimum standard of living
► An equal school experience for all
► Affordable, decent homes for everyone
► Daily access to three healthy, affordable meals
► All to feel and be safe within their homes and communities
► Access to affordable transport, everywhere
You can RSVP for the event on Thursday, 6 November 2014 at:-
brassrazoo.eventbrite.com. |
