Brightening Darlington’s Children’s Ward

A family member had mentioned to one of our team that some of the nurses on the ward had been talking about making one of their rooms more colourful. They’d raised £200 towards the idea and wanted to create something that would lift the spirits of the children who used the space.

After some discussion, their wish list included:

• A map of the world to inspire curiosity and conversation.
• A picture of the solar system to spark imagination.
• A cartoon pirate to add fun and warmth to the room

While the ideas were full of potential, the size and quality needed for these graphics meant the cost would be more than the available funds. The nurses were determined to bring life to the space, but the budget wouldn’t stretch far enough to cover their dream designs.

After hearing about the project, we offered to produce and supply all three pieces free of charge, allowing the £200 to be used towards something else the ward needed. The nurses were over the moon, and together we began refining the designs.

We created:

• The World Map - colourful and educational.
• The Solar System - vibrant and full of detail.
• The Pirate Character - cheerful and welcoming.

Each piece was printed on high-quality boards, cut to size, and finished for durability and easy cleaning, perfect for a hospital setting.

1. Initial contact: We reached out to the nurses after learning of their fundraising effort.
   
   
2. Consultation: Met with two team members to discuss ideas and finalise artwork.
   
   
3. Design & production: Printed and precision-cut the panels in-house at our Darlington production centre.
   
   
4. Delivery: Supplied the boards ready for installation on the ward.

Shortly after delivery, we received a WhatsApp message from the ward:

“Dan, we are so over the moon with these, they are gorgeous! Thank you so much.”

The hospital’s communications team has now shared photos of the finished room on their Facebook page, along with their thanks to everyone involved.

This project is a reminder that signage and graphics can make a real difference, especially in settings where children and families need comfort most. For Signs Express (South Durham & Teesside), it was a privilege to be part of transforming this space, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it has on the young patients who use it.