Kingston University students put Future Skills into practice in artwork project for Kingston Hospital

Kingston University students have produced a collection of inspiring artwork to benefit patients, visitors and staff across Kingston Hospital in a creative collaboration with Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust.

The Art for the Whole NHS Community project was delivered in partnership with the University’s creative agency Studio KT1, with final-year students offered the opportunity as part of their Future Skills Apply module. 

A taught and assessed part of every undergraduate degree, the Future Skills programme supports students to develop nine key human-centric skills most valued by employers. During their degree, they demonstrate and apply their learning in professional settings through partnerships with external organisations, building attributes such as creative problem solving, collaboration and empathy. 

The project was also open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the University, enabling them to explore the role of art in creating welcoming, supportive spaces in public healthcare settings.

The resulting exhibition, An Artistic Partnership - Kingston University & KRFT: from artist’s studio to hospital corridor, opened last month and brings together a range of student artwork which is displayed in spaces across the hospital.

Applying creativity in a healthcare setting

Working with Studio KT1 – the University’s student-powered creative agency, which connects students and graduates with industry and community projects – students explored photography, painting and digital art while considering how artworks are experienced by patients, visitors and staff in hospital environments.

Reflecting on the experience, final-year fine art student Yixin Wang said the opportunity transformed how she viewed creative practice beyond the studio. “The Future Skills Apply module helped me realise that, as an artist, creating a work is only part of the process,” she said, “What's equally important is thinking about how that work enters the world and connects different people and different spaces.”

Among the exhibiting artists is MA Photography student Anna Jannepalli, who is also a graphic designer in the University’s in-house design team. Having graduated from Kingston University with an undergraduate degree in graphic design nearly 20 years ago, she returned to study photography while continuing in her professional role.

She said: “The MA Photography course has been amazing, challenging, rewarding and genuinely life changing. Going back to study after 18 years felt like stepping into the unknown, but it has been worth every bit of the challenge.

“The experience of taking part in this project has given me the confidence to continue developing my creative practice and put all the skills I’ve gained from the MA to good use.”

Anna’s journey reflects the University’s commitment to lifelong learning, demonstrating how staff, as well as students, are supported to ensure they are sought after and continue developing their skills, knowledge and expertise throughout their careers.

Creating meaningful partnerships through art

Stephen Summers, Staff Pastoral Wellbeing Practitioner at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the value of the partnership and the impact of bringing an eclectic mix of student artwork into a hospital environment. 

“That art is inspiring and transformative is not news – but when it is encountered in an unexpected setting, such as a hospital corridor, that effect can be very noticeable. We are grateful to students for providing work that will engage and make a difference to patients, staff and visitors.”

Claire Selby, Student Enterprise and Innovation Manager at Kingston University, said the project was an example of how students were being supported to develop core human-centric skills while making a positive impact on the local community. 

“This project gave our students the opportunity to see how their creativity can make a genuine difference beyond the University, enriching spaces for patients, visitors and staff. By responding to a live creative brief, they have put their Future Skills into practice, building the confidence, collaboration and creative problem-solving abilities that will help them thrive in their future careers while making a positive impact in their communities.”

The exhibition will remain on display until early 2027.

• Find out more about Future Skills.
• Leading image is artwork by featured student, Yixin Wang.