South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust: Fieldhead Hospital
Project background and aims
We worked with Southwest Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to create this animation for people arriving at the Trust’s Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield.
The aim of the animation was to provide both reassurance and information to new patients, as well as inform them about the protocols and processes involved in their admission. It also introduced them to different spaces within the hospital and the activities offered by the trust.
Creating the explainer animation
Co-production was a key part of the process when creating this animation; a wide range of people’s stories were captured and used as inspiration when writing the script. This ensured the animation was well-rounded, authentic and accurate to real people’s experiences of their care.
We also tested a new involvement approach, whereby staff and inpatients were offered the chance to be interviewed, giving them the opportunity to narrate their own stories and inspire the final film.
Artwork and imagery
The finished animation needed to be an accessible communication tool – this was a consideration at every stage of the creative process.
During the storyboarding phase, artist Rosie worked with the team at Southwest Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to ensure that there was limited on-screen text and that the icons used were clear in communicating their meaning.
During the editing process, the team added options for baked-in subtitles and a translation into British Sign Language (BSL).
To further enhance the accuracy of the animation, all locations mentioned in the script were illustrated using photos taken by staff at Fieldhead. This ensured that the areas where new patients would live would be familiar and easily recognisable after watching the film.
Award-winning animation
Upon the launch of the animation, we were thrilled to learn that the film had been awarded the Southwest Yorkshire Partnership Excellence Award for Equality and Involvement Excellence. It’s great to see the importance of ensuring equality and involvement are attributes valued by the Trust at every level.
