Visual Empathy Training
Context
Evelina London Children’s Hospital is a specialist NHS hospital in London. It is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. It provides teaching hospital facilities for London South Bank University and King’s College London School of Medicine.
Challenge
To create a hospital that did not feel like a hospital. Where the children feel as relaxed and happy as possible. All whilst receiving the care and treatment they need.
The Solution
Alchemist ran workshops with the children patients. And used actors to explore some of their personal experiences.
The children, as a collective, then wrote, directed and performed in their scenes. Other children even operated the camera. These films they created with the help of Alchemist were then used as powerful and real material for the training elements with the staff to create realistic scenes, scripts and role-plays.
Roadshows were also used to raise awareness for staff and frontliners. And managers received individual coaching sessions.
The impact
Alchemist worked with over 900 staff, from the cleaners through to the consultants. All who gave excellent feedback. Patient engagement became a pivotal contributor to overall staff engagement as a result.
Through the workshop key values were identified which then became the branding for the ward.
Ambassadors were used to create and maintain the energy and momentum of the programmes after they had been completed.
“A groundbreaking project… and has succeeded in setting the benchmark for communication standards.” – Mike Connelly, Patient Experience Improvement Manager
