Ellen Nowak

What does a typical day look like for you?

I'm exploring how arts and creativity can be part of everyday life at Cambridge Children's Hospital. I work with children, young people, families, clinicians, artists, designers, and architects, to think about how the arts can make the hospital feel more welcoming, inspiring and supportive. No two days are the same! One day I might be running a creative workshop with young people to hear their ideas, and the next I could be working with an artist and the design team to think about how an artwork will be built into the plans for the new hospital.

What inspired you to join the Cambridge Children’s Hospital Project?

I was drawn to the Cambridge Children's Hospital project by the opportunity to be part of something genuinely transformative. Bringing children's physical and mental healthcare together in one hospital is a world first, and it felt like a rare opportunity to help shape something truly groundbreaking. Throughout my career, I've seen how creativity can help children and young people feel confident, connected and heard, and this project puts their voices at the heart of the vision.

I've spent my career developing and leading arts programmes in galleries, museums, charities, schools and hospitals. I believe art has the power to make a real difference to people's lives. My work focuses on delivering creative projects and artworks that help people feel connected, supported and inspired.

The chance to help build a hospital where arts and creativity are considered from the very beginning, rather than added as an afterthought, was a real draw. It's a privilege to be working alongside young people, families and colleagues to create a hospital where art helps children and families feel better. We know that arts and creativity can reduce anxiety, support recovery and improve experiences of care, and Cambridge Children's Hospital offers a unique opportunity to build that thinking in from the very beginning.

Share one meaningful or interesting part of the project that you’ve contributed to

One of the most meaningful parts of the project has been developing a creative engagement approach that helps children, young people, families and staff share their experiences and ideas in ways that are accessible, inclusive and enjoyable. We've had the opportunity to work with some brilliant artists, who have designed creative workshops that encourage people to reflect on their experiences of healthcare and imagine what the future hospital could be like through making and creating.

The ideas, stories and artwork generated through these activities have helped shape the hospital's art strategy and are now informing briefs for the commissioning programme. It's exciting to see what people have shared through these workshops directly influencing the next stage of the project.

Describe the Cambridge Children’s Hospital project in three words

• Innovative
• Collaborative
• Caring

What excites you most about the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital?

The chance to help create a hospital that feels different. Cambridge Children's Hospital is rethinking not only how healthcare is delivered, but also how children, young people and families experience it.