Local NHS service launches artwork competition for school children

ALL primary school children in Exeter are being invited to enter an NHS drawing competition and show off their artistic talent.

Children aged five to 11 in all 29 primary and special needs school in the city now have the chance to express their creativity with a picture of what being healthy means to them.

The arts competition is being organised by the Northern, Eastern and Western Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) whose core value is the promotion of healthy people leading healthy lives in healthy communities.

The subject of the competition is ‘A Picture of Health’ and all drawings, paintings, collages and pictorial artworks will be displayed during a special health engagement event for the public at the Guildhall on Friday 29 November 2013 between 11am and 6pm.

Letters have been sent to the head teachers of every primary and special needs school in Exeter to encourage pupils to take part in the NEW Devon CCG arts competition.

Gillian Champion, a nurse partner at the Foxhayes GP Practice and co-chair of the Exeter sub-locality with NEW Devon CCG, is organising the public engagement event at the Guildhall.

She said: “We are working to transform health provision in Devon but we cannot do it without people’s input.

“We are constantly seeking the views and ideas of communities on what health services could be like in the future. We want to hear what everyone has to say.

“Children in our city have their own ideas. This arts competition is a great way for them to show us what being healthy and leading healthy lives means to them, and for us to listen to their views and ideas.

“With half term now upon us and plenty of rain on the way, it’s time to sharpen your pencils and crayons and get creative.

“We hope every child in the city will draw their picture of health and take part in this exciting competition.”

Mrs Champion added: “We are inviting mums and dads to come along to our health pop-up shop at the Guildhall to see their children’s artwork on display and share with us their views of what future health services could be at the same time.”

First, second and third prizes will be W.H. Smith gift vouchers for £40, £25 and £10.

Entries will be judged on an age related criteria, imaginative and creative ideas coupled with communication skills. All entries should not exceed A3 in size on paper or card.

Images can be initially submitted using a JPEG format at helen.cox4@nhs.net. Please include a word document with details of school, name and age of the child and title and size of each picture.

The closing date for submissions is Monday 25 November 2013.

For more information on the competition call Helen Cox on 01392 356132.