This Christmas, Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds invites visitors to step into the world of NHS workers during the festive season with its immersive new installation, The Night Before NHS Christmas. Running from 30 November 2024 to 5 January 2025, the exhibition reimagines the iconic poem to share candid and heartfelt stories from healthcare staff across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Drawing on real-life experiences, the installation features vivid memories from NHS staff such as Uchenna Akpuche, a Staff Nurse at St James’s Hospital, and Hannah Hall, a Staff Nurse at Leeds General Infirmary, who recall how their festive shifts brought moments of both joy and ingenuity. Their stories are woven into a series of five intricately crafted 3D paper sculptures created by renowned artist Andy Singleton, forming a magical trail throughout the museum.
Edward Appleyard, Chief Executive at Thackray Museum, said, “For many of us, Christmas is a time of celebration, of family and friends, of getting together and sharing; but for those hardworking key workers lots of us don’t see, it’s a different kind of celebration. At the Thackray, we wanted to show how NHS staff create a special kind of joy at this time of year.
“Andy’s ornate and delicate artworks are truly beautiful, and with the magic of Wrongsemble’s performances bringing theatre and song to the installations throughout the building, we think everyone who visits will leave overflowing with festive spirit.”
The installations, ranging from 70cm to nearly two metres tall, include touching moments such as a maternity team’s Christmas feast interrupted by beepers and a nurse’s inventive use of bedpans and bottles to create festive decorations. Visitors will also encounter a stunning sixth artwork in the museum’s grand entrance, adorned with handmade paper decorations and festive touches.
Adding to the atmosphere, the family theatre company Wrongsemble will deliver heartwarming pop-up performances filled with song and seasonal cheer on weekends. Families can join in the fun by dressing in pyjamas or dressing gowns and taking part in hands-on activities like screen printing Christmas cards, crafting paper wreaths, and bookbinding.
The exhibition complements the museum’s permanent galleries, which include a replica Victorian Leeds street, an operating theatre, and a treasure trove of over 75,000 medical innovations that chart the history of healthcare.
Whether you’re visiting for the installations, the performances, or the festive workshops, The Night Before NHS Christmas promises to be a heartwarming tribute to the compassion and creativity of NHS workers during the Christmas season.
For more details, visit www.thackraymuseum.co.uk.
