Step Exhibitions
Parkhead Hub, Health & Care Centre: Children’s Services Arts Strategy – NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Nominee Information
Parkhead Hub is a pioneering net-zero healthcare and community facility redefining service delivery in Glasgow’s East End, one of Scotland’s most deprived areas. As Scotland’s largest health and social care hub, it integrates acute, primary care, mental health, children’s services, addiction support, and homelessness assistance into a single, accessible location for over 176,000 people.
Designed for seamless collaboration between public and third-sector organisations, the Hub advances NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s (NHSGGC) and Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) vision of integration, prevention, and early intervention. By co-locating services, it streamlines access to care and supports the regeneration of the East End. Extensive community involvement has shaped the facility, fostering a sense of ownership and ensuring it meets local needs. Features like the relocated Parkhead Library, a café, and bookable community spaces make it more than a healthcare centre—it is a hub for learning, connection, and well-being.
A defining feature of the Hub is its integrated arts strategy, recognising the role of therapeutic art and design in enhancing mental health and well-being. Established before construction began, the strategy embeds art into key areas, making the Hub a welcoming and supportive environment.
The children’s area exemplifies this approach, incorporating specially created artworks in the waiting area, family rooms, and child and adolescent mental health spaces. Following an open call, Bespoke Atelier—a studio known for fusing art and architecture—was commissioned to create a large-scale interactive artwork for the children’s waiting area. Inspired by the local community, the design features engaging textures and shapes. Parkhead Hub’s procurement team sourced furniture to complement the artwork, ensuring a cohesive and child-friendly environment.
Additionally, local graphic design agency Paper Ball developed comforting and engaging artwork for the family rooms. Specialising in empathetic visual storytelling, Paper Ball crafted digital and printed materials to help children and caregivers navigate emotions in a supportive setting.
The arts strategy was integrated into the Hub’s broader change management framework, with updates shared through working groups, a dedicated steering group, and project staff. This ensured a fully coordinated approach, embedding art and design into the heart of the Hub’s mission to improve community health and well-being.
By prioritising arts and design alongside healthcare services, Parkhead Hub sets a new standard for holistic, community-driven care, demonstrating the power of creativity in transforming public spaces and lives.
