When you're five years old and the doctor's waiting room feels too big, too quiet, and too clinical, a splash of colour can make all the difference.
Pupils at Bankhead Primary School in Knightswood have done something about that. The children have designed and painted a series of vibrant, cheerful pictures now adorning the walls of Barclay Medical Practice in Kingsway — transforming what was once a standard NHS waiting room into a warm, welcoming space for patients of all ages.
The artwork features the children's favourite spots around Glasgow, including beloved local green space Knightswood Park, rendered in the kind of bold, joyful colours that only primary school pupils can produce with a completely straight face.
"We enjoyed making the paintings, and we did it because we wanted to help people when they go to the doctor, by creating art that can make them happy," one Primary 7 pupil said.
A Primary 5 classmate added: "We wanted to do artwork that was bright and colourful and had the best things in Glasgow."
The project grew out of the school's Bankhead Community Action Project, a programme that gives pupils the chance to connect with their local community in meaningful ways. Each term, project groups brainstorm ideas that could make a real impact in the neighbourhood.
This term, the group led by Mrs Sood, the school's English as an Additional Language teacher, chose the theme of "people and places." They identified Barclay Medical Practice as a vital community hub — and quickly landed on the idea of creating artwork to brighten the surgery's walls.
A prescription for calm
For anyone who's ever sat in a GP waiting room watching the minutes tick by, the value of a welcoming distraction hardly needs explaining. But for young children, the anxiety can run deeper. Studies suggest clinical environments can be a significant source of stress for young patients — and that visual art in healthcare settings can help reduce that anxiety.
Dr James McBride, a GP partner at the practice, said the artwork has already made a noticeable difference.
"Going to the doctor's can often be an intimidating experience, both for children and adults," he said. "These beautiful pictures provide a warm and welcoming distraction to patients. They are so colourful and detailed that our patients will be able to enjoy them for years to come.
"We hope the children and staff have enjoyed the process and look forward to supporting similar projects in the future."
Building community, one brushstroke at a time
Mrs Sood said the project had benefits well beyond the finished paintings.
"We were appreciative of the opportunity to work with Barclay Medical Practice Kingsway and to make the artwork for such an important part of our community," she said. "The children put a lot of effort into researching, learning and painting, improving their skills in the expressive arts, while also making strong community links."
Bankhead Primary head teacher Vicky McCool said the initiative had helped the pupils understand the power of giving back.
"Making a connection with a vital community resource has been instrumental in developing the children's sense of community and understanding the value of making a positive difference in society," she said.
The Bankhead Community Action Project has form when it comes to local engagement — earlier this year, the school also launched the first bike bus in the Glasgow West End, another pupil-led initiative connecting the school with its neighbourhood.
For now, though, the waiting room walls at Barclay Medical Practice tell their own story: that sometimes the best medicine comes with a paintbrush and a bit of imagination.
