At the beginning of covid I was a ward clerk, I am now an MDT co-ordinator assistant for cancer services. Seeing how much effort every single person working inside of the hospital has put in during covid is amazing! And I feel like we have all became an even closer community.

I took part in Jo's project because I think it's an incredible project, and Jo's paintings are absolutely amazing 🙂.

I am the Matron for general surgery on the WRH site and have worked in the Trust 28 years. Covid has been the hardest challenge I have experienced throughout my career, but also one of the most rewarding as we have seen all the teams working so hard and well to support one another and all the patients. With generous offers such as Jo’s to produce these pictures it has helped to keep morale raised and will be a permanent reminder of the pandemic for years to come.

My role in the Trust is as a specialist midwife supporting vulnerable women and Safeguarding in Bromsgrove.

I think a picture speaks volumes and this is the perfect way to capture the effect the pandemic has had on all staff.

I believe it is important that it is recorded in history in an unbiased way, so how better than pictures of those working within the NHS during the pandemic.

I also had long COVID and was very poorly for a while, so view is from both sides.

I work as an assistant practitioner in x-ray. I have worked for the Trust for 20 years, but this year has put a lot of stress on the Radiology Department and I have felt a greater need to provide support to junior colleagues that are unfamiliar to long time working within the healthcare setting.

I accepted a job and started work with the trust, a complete career change, on 16/03/2020. One week before lockdown #1. I trained on each reception learning new skills and expectations then bam, lockdown hit and my job pivoted overnight, no more reception skills needed but learning so many new skills like calling patients, organising waiting lists and referrals but managed to form very good relationships with the team, booking offices family and we have gone from strength to strength and I can only say how proud I am to be a cog in the amazing machine that is WAHT. Jo's project shouted out to me, I wanted to be part of it because I am part of it. Thank you for letting me. We will continue to shine in these sad and difficult times.

My name is Heather Sharp, I am a staff nurse on Critical Care. The pandemic has changed everything for us, how we work and it is has been very difficult to adapt to everything. It's been very hard to stay positive but I work with the best team and everyone has really pulled together. I wanted to take part in Jo's project because I thought it would be a good way to be part of history. We will never see anything like this again (well I hope not!!) so I want to look back on this and remember the kindness in eyes during an awful time.

I agreed to take part in the project quite early on never imagining how many requests she would receive! I’ve been very fortunate during this pandemic as the screening programme was suspended for 3 months so the team and I worked from home.

I am a Senior Staff Nurse on the NICU at WRH. The pandemic has been particularly stress full for me as both me and my husband are emergency workers and have taken on a lot of overtime to help with staff shortages. We have not seen family for over 12 months due to both our jobs.

I wanted to be a part of jo's art project as I feel it is an amazing honor to be a part of it during time which hopefully will never see again.

I decided to take part as I thought what a fabulous opportunity to be part of history with both the Trust and the museum. Jo is an amazing lady and would love to see her work shown on GMB or such like to show off her talent and the time she has taken over this.

My name is Laura and I am one of the Directorate Support Officer’s within the Surgical Division. The Pandemic has be challenging for many and I am proud to work within our Trust.

I feel privileged to have been involved in this project. I am an Orthotics clerk in the Orthotics department. I’ve worked in the trust for 3+ years now. I wanted to be involved as I thought it was a very poignant time for the NHS and I feel we all needed to show our solidarity in the fight of this terrible disease. It’s been hard for everyone, just working differently and learning to live with a pandemic. But I’m only on the side lines, the true heroes are the ones in the thick of it all and trying to save lives. I commend Jo Keeley for taking this project on, she is amazing!!

I wasn’t going to put myself forward due to the fact that I am a medical secretary and not on the frontline but I was persuaded to by my work colleagues. I have been somewhat cushioned from the reality of Covid-19, only reading the daily bulletins. However, I have spoken with my consultants and the specialist nurses (who have been redeployed) and they have intimated how awful it has been.

I cannot express how wonderfully talented Jo is. She is a true inspiration.

My role within the trust - I am an Upper Gastro-Intestinal Clinical Nurse Specialist. I work with cancer patients. During the first wave of the pandemic, I was redeployed to ICU where I have previously worked in order to help with the rising caseload. I asked to participate in Jo's art project as I thought it was extremely relevant to our changing circumstances, having to transition to communication in many cases just through eye contact.

I am the Audiology Management Team PA, working for the countywide Audiology department. When the pandemic first hit, it was scary and unsettling as it was the unknown. Everyone in the Trust has pulled together and done what they needed, to do their part.

We are one big ‘Trust’ family.

When I saw what Jo was doing I wanted to take part, as it’s a memento to keep, following something that everyone worldwide has been through. Facial expressions can say a lot about a person!

It is so strange now that when you walk along a corridor or in a shop etc., you can’t just smile at that colleague/person and they will see it….everything is now being seen and done by the eyes, so I think what Jo is doing is portraying a very powerful message.

I am a paediatric nurse working in Children’s Clinic. I had mentioned to my husband that it must be quite frightening for children coming to clinic and seeing all these people with masks on and not being able to see anything more than their eyes. Hospitals can be a scary place for children without the added layer of not being able to see the faces of the people who are sometimes doing not so nice things to them – like taking bloods. I thought it would be interesting to see pictures of other people’s eyes. Jo has done such an amazing job capturing eyes that tell different stories. I think it’s a great idea.

Unfortunately I have been shielding, so only spent three months in clinic wearing a mask before I was sent home to shield again.

I am an ODP and work in KTC Ophthalmology. I was redeployed to the mortuary at Worcester along with Wayne Turner Healthcare Assistant also from Ophthalmology last year, and again this year again to Worcester and Redditch mortuary. A very different role physically and emotionally of course but we have coped well and feel proud to have done my bit during the worst of the pandemic.

I saw that Jo was doing portraits of the staff working in the first lockdown and messaged her as I draw myself to see if she would like her portrait doing also. She accepted as long as I had mine done and she has done a great portrait of me.

My name is Becky Clarke, I've been a nurse in the trust for nearly 13 years now. I work on Laurel 3 where I care for haematology & oncology patients.

This pandemic has made us our patients true family with no visits from their loved ones. We have held hands, laughed and cried together. It has been an honour to keep my patients safe and continue their essential treatments, I'm proud to be a nurse ❤

I wanted to be a part of this amazing project so we can all look back on this time and say we did it! 🌈

I am an Occupational Therapist working within the trust, at the start of the pandemic I had only been qualified for 6 months. I work with patients within the hospital to get home as independently and safely as possible. The pandemic has been an experience which has not only made me the professional I am today but also the person I am. I have experienced things I would have not thought I would have in my first year qualified but I have also created bonds and friendships which will have a special part of my heart forever.

I am Matron in Medicine and supporting Patient Flow team. I retired in 2019 and then came back part time Feb 2019. But as the pandemic emerged I did not hesitate to return and work full time again as wanted to support.

In March I supported as Matron for some of the medial wards at the Alex which were covid areas. Then in May I went back to supporting patient flow across both Worcester and Alex sites and more recently I have done lots of shifts in the Covid vaccination hub. I

really appreciated being part of this project and honoured I have been chosen. The picture will be a lovely memento and reminder of this time and of all we have achieved as a team together. I have been a Nurse for 38 years and could not have sat at home knowing what the teams were going through and I felt I could be a valuable support to the staff and the Trust.

I am a Delivery Suite Co-ordinator and Midwife. I’ve worked for the trust for 13 years.

I try to take the positives away from the pandemic because the negatives are overwhelming. The kindness people have shown, people such as Jo, is amazing.

Eye contact provides so much power and that power is reflected through the care of your patients.

Staff Nurse.

I am a biomedical scientist working in the Biochemistry lab. The worse thing for me has not being able to see my dad and wider family my nieces and in laws. It has been mentally quite tough while we are attending work my children aged 11 and 15 are being home schooled. It is them that I really feel for. They can’t play their favourite sports and see their friends at least I have some normality by just going to work.

Jo is extremely talented and I have known her for a while now. I wanted to show her my support and also take part in this part of our history at Worcestershire Acute trust even in this mad sad time.

I am a Surgical Nurse Practitioner. I work all over the hospital looking after surgical patients. I work on call with the Consultants and within the Beech/SCDU wards and in our ESTC (Emergency Surgical Triage Clinic). I love my job as it is different every day. I can follow the patients holistic journey throughout their stay in the hospital. We look after acutely unwell patients as well as those attending outpatient appointments as GP referrals.

I chose to be part of the Eye Contact Project as I wanted a memento of this very strange time we are in. I wanted a keepsake to show my daughter and for her to show her children etc. As we all know, we have to wear masks all the time once we step foot into the hospital so our eyes are really the only view our patients can see when we are providing care. It can be a very scary time for someone especially if they have dementia or a young paediatric patient.

I caught COVID at the start of January 2021 so this project means that little bit more to me now.

I work as the staff services supervisor in catering at the Alex. Working throughout the pandemic has actually given me more hope, seeing all my fellow NHS staff smile and carry on even when moral was low has given me strength to cope with the difficulties we have all faced this last year.

I wanted to be included in Jo’s art for a few reasons, one they are beautiful and two I believe we have all learned to read people through their eyes now. No smiling or even talking just a look is all we need to say ‘hi keep smiling, your doing great’.

I’m a Neonatal Community Outreach Sister. I and my 6 colleagues support babies who go home early from the Neonatal Unit Naso-gastric tube feeding, on oxygen or needing other support. During the first wave of the pandemic health visitors were not visiting babies and Midwives were only doing the 3 statutory visits so our service was essential to support babies and families......in fact we expanded to offer more support through introducing a 7 day a week service!

I wanted a painting as I celebrated 30 years of Nursing and wanted to remember that I was part of the wonderful NHS during a global pandemic!

I work as a rheumatology clinical nurse specialist, currently redeployed to the vaccinating team. When COVID-19 came last year I unfortunately took it home with me and to my family. Covid 19 is a force to be reckoned with, one mighty battle, for all of us to put on our masks, roll up our sleeves and fight.

My name is Claire Jarvis and I'm a Band 6 midwife at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. I wanted to be a part of Jo's project as a keepsake for my children really I hope in years to come when I'm not here anymore that they will look at the portrait once in a while and feel proud that their mum helped in her small way. I have found the whole pandemic challenging and am scared to come to work at times but also feel very proud that I have given women and their babies the best care I can during what must be for them a much more scary experience.

I work in Research and Development at the Trust. I setup, co-ordinate and support Clinical Trials throughout their lifetime in the Trust, usually this is throughout all specialities, however over the last year it has been purely Covid. This picture was taken as I was sat in the chair at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham as a participant in the clinical trial ChAdOx1 nCov-19, testing the potential treatment now known as the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine. I was sat in a room with other members of the public, I was a participant, a volunteer, not knowing what the outcome was going to be, if we were going to help or even hinder. I found out recently that I had received the trial vaccine, and not the placebo. I couldn’t be prouder – to have taken part in the study, to work in research, to be a part of conducting research at our Trust - of which 2 of the main treatments for Covid has come from research we participated in. I am so lucky to have a lovely painting that captures all of that, I’ll never forget what we have been through and the amazing work I have seen in our Trust.

I am a healthcare assistant on the cardiology ward.

I have appreciated the fact that I have still been able to socialise with my friends that I work with and not be stuck at home. It has come with some anxiety as I have a young child but luckily for children this pandemic has not touched which I am so grateful about. We have to think of the positives. Work is very different nowadays. Much more stressful and scary but I'm happy to be working with such amazing people

I thought Joanne was so talented and thought it would be cool to have a painting as a memory to show my children and grandchildren one day instead of the stressed tired ones I've taken of myself on my phone!

My role is Matron for Endoscopy, Outpatients and Bowel Cancer Screening across all sites.

The Pandemic has shown me that anything is possible. No matter what challenge has been placed in front of NHS staff, they have risen and gone beyond what is being asked of them. I have seen courage and bravery which should be commended. I am incredibly proud to be part of such an amazing organisation.

I am a Ward Manager on a general surgical ward.

This pandemic has highlighted the strength that each and every person in the Trust has and it feels we are all as one, if anything it has bonded a lot of different areas together has increased the understanding for everyone's role.

I work within Palliative care across both hospital sites, as a team we continued to our presence on all ward areas, ensuring all patients were receiving good End of life care in very difficult circumstance, supporting staff was also paramount as they faced daily challenges that were heart-breaking. Offering support and time to relatives via phone or Virtual links and partnership working with the bereavement service to provide care for families after death.

Taking part in this project was totally out of character for me, but I felt it was important to show that even behind the mask we were still here, committed to providing care, despite all the barriers, it was vital for families and loved ones to know that we would be there.

I am currently a staff nurse on Aconbury 1 Surgery. I qualified in 2018 and was redeployed in April 2020 to support the surgical sector provide some of our more vulnerable patients with the surgical interventions they need. This covers so far 12 specialties. Excellent learning experience within a wonderfully supportive team.

I wanted to be involved in Jo’s project because I feel that during a very scary time, we have all managed to express care and compassion, whilst having half of ourselves hidden away. Communication comes in many forms, and I feel that our most powerful communication tool has been our eyes in recent times. Jo is a very talented artist and I thank her for including me in this project.

My reason for having a portrait done was to have a keepsake/momento that would be something to look back on in years to come and remember that I was part of a team who worked through the COVID-19 pandemic when eyes were looked into more than ever before.

My role in the Trust is as an Executive PA to the Director of Strategy and Planning, Jo Newton and Deputy Director of Strategy and Planning, Lisa Peaty along with supporting the rest of the Strategy and Planning Team.

The pandemic has impacted all of us in so many ways, for me personally, I have lost time with loved ones. My Dad was diagnosed with Dementia at the start of the pandemic, as one of those also classed as clinically vulnerable he has been shielding for the best part of a year and though this was absolutely essential to keep him safe, it has had an irreversible impact on speed which the Dementia has progressed. I cry for the hugs we have missed and the events, including my Mums 80th, that we will never get back.

I didn't realise how much I lip read as a fully hearing adult and how little attention I paid to people's eyes in general day to day conversations. All of a sudden wearing a mask I felt like I had gone deaf! Things became much harder and I struggle to get the way things are being said whether sarcastically or seriously for example from under a mask. I have also found out that I don't think I have very expressive eyes and find myself saying to people a lot 'I am smiling'!

I always smiled at people I didn't know in the corridors but now I think we are saying hi or morning more as we can't see a smile. Our poor patients must find it the hardest thing not seeing us smile as we go past or hand them something. I think wards have become noisier as more communication needs to be verbal now whereas before a look or a smile was all that was needed. This is something I have really noticed as part of the pandemic - everything has changed, every aspect of our lives and the work we do and we are all bothered or stressed by different things. I'm naturally very loud but find I can't tolerate noise as much because there is more talking needed than ever before so there is less quiet time.

I think a lot of changes will stay - such as masks. Is it just coincidence we haven't had our usual winter noro outbreaks? Or are people cleaner and touching their mouths less? I am one of the sisters on Surgical Clinical Decisions Unit, we have changed to take all surgical specialities so serious revision has been needed!!

I work in the X-Ray department at the Alex and Powch. This past year has been extremely challenging, both professionally and personal I don’t think there is a single person it hasn’t effected. For me when I saw the pictures that jo produced I was amazed at how truly talented she is. The precision for each individual picture that she does is fabulous , how she gives her own time of which I doubt she has much left after working, looking after a family, etc. etc. To think this harrowing time will be marked by what she has done just made me want to be apart of it. It’s lovely to see another face, expression everyday that she finds time to do it.

Thank you jo you are a very unique person.

I love my portrait.

I work as a radiographer in both MRI and CT at the Alex hospital. I am patient facing daily and definitely see the struggles of communication whilst wearing a mask. Eye contact has always been important but even more so now. It is really amazing how much you can tell from someone's eyes. I strive to show kindness and to wear a smile … I won't let the mask stop this.

I am a Maternity Support Worker and help the midwives facilitate the needs and wishes of parents about to meet their babies. During the pandemic Maternity as a whole has been protected a little as our moms-to-be are mostly healthy women. However we are now experiencing greater numbers of positive cases coming through during the second wave and the Maternity Covid unit has been extremely busy.

My reason for taking part in this fantastic exhibition is that Jo is beautifully showing that even though we are behind masks for the whole of our shifts the eyes are indeed windows to the soul and empathy and kindness does not necessarily need a physical voice.

I started off within the Incident Control back in August and have since been promoted to Deputy Manager. I work in the Incident Control Room dealing with staff/patient/national/public queries in regards to COVID-19, as well as being part of the Command and Control Structure.

COVID-19 has affected everyone and to play a part in supporting and helping the Trust has made me feel really invaluable.

I wanted to be a part of Jo’s project as I’m an advocate for mental health and think Jo’s project has played a vital role in helping staff get through this pandemic by involving everyone in creating these lovely paintings and putting a smile back on everyone’s faces.

Hi , I am a staff nurse. The pandemic has been incredibly sad for lots of people and most people have endeavoured to support key workers in the very best way that they can. However what the pandemic has also shown is the incredibly selfish people who continue to flout the guidelines with minimal or no enforcement from the government, this has contributed tithe situation we fond ourselves in now. I now feel that we have become expendable.

My job role is Ward Housekeeper for T&O at WRH.

I wanted to be part of Jo’s art project when I first saw the amazing pictures she had created on facebook, I was amazed by how she had captured the heart and soul of the people involved just by showing the eyes, I think in generations to come they will be able to see the real people behind this pandemic through the way Jo has portrayed everyone through her fantastic pictures and one day maybe my great great grandchildren can look upon these with pride just like we are proud of generations who have done so much for our community and country.

Within my role of Ward housekeeper I have been able to support my ward through making sure they have the equipment they need, mask fitted to help keep them safe and support in many ways which has then allowed them to be able to do their amazing work of caring for our patients throughout this pandemic and I am so proud to be part of such an amazing team .

I am a Senior Nurse Practitioner in the Ophthalmology Department.

My main role is giving sight-saving eye injections. I am pleased to say that these treatments have continued throughout the Covid crisis and I am proud to be part of a fantastic team leading the fight against sight loss. The Masked Portrait exhibition shows us why eyes are so important not only for vision but for communication in these troubled times.

I qualified in February and started my nursing career working on Ward 1, the Respiratory High Dependency Unit at the Alex caring for very unwell Covid patients during the first wave of the pandemic. During the summer I started my dream career as a Chemotherapy Staff Nurse working with the amazing team on Garden Suite. I am extremely proud to be caring for and keeping our patients safe during this second wave, providing essential anti- cancer treatments.

I am the Sister of the Discharge Lounge at the Alex Hospital and have worked at the Alex for almost 22 years.

I think joining this project is important to show that behind the masks, we are all individuals. I’m not just a nurse, I’m a mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Together we are united. We will beat this virus so that we can return to our other roles and see all our loved ones once again.

Firstly, thank you for all your hard work in putting this exhibition together. I’m so glad that Joanne is getting this recognition for her amazing work.

I am a midwife, working mainly on Delivery Suite. The pandemic has meant that women at an already vulnerable time have had the added fear of the virus and lost out on family support. A reassuring smile is part of my toolkit and that form of communication has been taken away although I hope the women I care for can tell by my eyes that I’m smiling.

I wanted to be a part of Jo’s project because she’s doing such a wonderful thing. Her portraits have kept me smiling every time one pops up on Facebook. She is a diamond.

Hi, I am a HCA I have worked for the trust since April 2019, unfortunately I have been shielding, I went back to work in August to work on another ward, due to my permanent ward being a covid ward, I then went back to shielding in November, I am very grateful to all who have worked through this pandemic and feel guilty that I have not been able to work to help my colleagues.

Prior to Covid, I was the Trust Lead Cancer Nurse – I’ve been a nurse for 33 years, predominantly in cancer and palliative care.

During Covid I was asked to support the senior corporate nursing team, and was made support to the Site lead with Sarah King on the Alex site, and was the Bereavement lead – setting up a new service to support families whose loved ones died with us, with them unable to visit.

I then led on the Vaccination programme, and the implementation of LFT testing across the trust. I am now Divisional Director of Nursing for Surgery.

Thank you Jo, for capturing all of us – what a moment in time.

I work on Rowan suite as a Chemotherapy Scheduler and I absolutely love my role. I’ve had a variety of jobs in my 46 years at work and I can honestly say this is the one job where I feel I am really doing something worthwhile. I am so lucky to work with such a fantastic team of nurses, doctors and admin staff and I think we have all kept each other going through this awful pandemic.

I don’t usually volunteer to have my photo taken but with only my eyes showing I thought why not and it’s a really fun thing to do and wanted to show my support for a great project. So happy with my photo.

My role is Quality / Governance Lead Radiographer. I am proud to have worked in The NHS for 46yrs and the pandemic has definitely been the most challenging period. As I'm no longer patient facing, it has been very hard to watch & listen to what my colleagues have been facing and not able to even give them a hug. To see some strong individuals struggling with mental health issues has been especially difficult, but I'm so proud of all the Trust staff, especially my radiographer colleagues who have been involved with every Covid-19 patient who is admitted into the Trust. We stay positive & look forward to vaccinated times ahead!

I am a Sister in the Acute Trust, I have been nursing 17 years and have recently left the Cardiac Cath lab, for a new role in Interventional Radiology Nursing. The pandemic has been challenging for me on a professional level as the elective work that we have been able to undertake has been reduced, and patients had often come to us "poorlier" than perhaps they otherwise would. On a personal level my son has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and was considered high risk, so a lot of anxiety existed around whether I would take this home. It has taught me to value what I have rather than focus on what I don’t have.

I work as a Trainee Nursing Associate in the Rheumatology department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. In my role I support the nursing staff, clinical nurse specialists and consultants within our outpatient clinic and day case unit, putting our patients at the heart of all we do. I am hoping to further my career and become a nurse in the future. I took part in this project as it sounded such a fantastic original idea, Jo’s pictures showcase each person’s emotion through their eyes, a glimpse of what our patients see of us through these uncertain times.

I work as a Dermatology Specialist Nurse, I treat patients with chronic skin conditions helping them with not only the physical problems but also the psychological factors that generally go hand in hand with skin conditions.

When covid hit us my service had to stop and I did a lot of telephone consultations. That was really hard because you really need to see a patients skin to do an assessment. So it meant long conversations about their skin and also about covid. Many of my patients are elderly and had very little support so having a chat with me made them feel they were not forgotten about.

At the beginning of this pandemic I will admit I was not scared of caring for a person with covid, all said and done that is my job. What frighten me was the unknown and letting people down. I had not working in a ward environment for 30 years. Time has moved on technology-wise and my knowledge was very limited. However, I was lucky enough to not be called on the wards and I stayed doing what I do best.

I was keen to help Joanne with her project, our faces have changed due to wearing masks and our eyes have to tell the story now. I remember hating the fact that a patient couldn’t see me smiling at them. It is a way of reassuring people that had gone, for good reason.

Joanne has helped tell the covid story through her paintings and you can interpret for yourselves what the eyes are saying.

Many thanks for the below email and for all of your help with Joanne’s fantastic project has been so uplifting!

My role in the trust is a Senior Medical Secretary in the Ophthalmology department at the Alex. The pandemic to me has highlighted the significance of love and family and to make the most of each day. I agreed to be a part of the project as it is a moment in history that hopefully we will never see again! I also wanted to take part to be part of the bigger team across the Trust, all of our roles matter.

I work as a Heath care scientist Assistant in Neurophysiology.

In Lockdown our department was only open for urgent out-patients work, so we are helping departments where the help is needed. I hope we are making a difference.

Let’s hope it’s over soon, I’m very proud to work for the NHS especially at times like this!

Working through this pandemic as a 22 year old has been by far the saddest time of my working life, and the most rewarding. I was the hand that held many through their worst time and I'm so proud of myself.

Thankyou again to Joanne for creating this piece of art where in years to come I can look back and say I done that, I worked through it , WE DID IT!

I am a Newborn Hearing Screener. We are based in Audiology but work on Postnatal ward, Delivery suite, Meadow Birth Centre, Transitional Care, Neonatal Unit as well as outpatient clinics across the sites. We see babies from 4 hours old or over 34 weeks gestation and carry out a screen on them to see if they are able to hear.

During the pandemic we have been cautious when seeing babies and mums. Sometimes it has been difficult to communicate between the PPE and gain the information we require. Audiology closed during the 1st lockdown so we were not able to carry out any outpatient appointments during that time. When it re-opened we had a lot of babies we had to catch up with that had been discharged prior to a screen being completed, born at home, been COVID positive or isolating, that needed to be called in to complete the hearing screen. This was quite difficult as we had to carry out additional clinics to catch up. Instead of seeing babies before 4 weeks old we were seeing some that were 3 months old, this makes our job a bit more difficult as they are a lot bigger, awake and more alert at this time. Our team really pulled together during this time though and within only a few weeks we had managed to catch up with all outstanding babies that wished to have the hearing screen completed.

I am a senior sister working in ophthalmology.

The pandemic has challenged the team and me in so many ways but really made me appreciate the support and kindness of all those I work with.

I wanted to be involved in the project because eyes have been a huge part of my career, I have looked into so many and seen so many different emotions.

I like many staff across the Trust look forward to seeing Jo's painting, she has an amazing talent and I thank both of you for being a little piece of normality in a very abnormal world!

I am Joanne Keeley's painting number 103. My name is Susan Walton and I have been a Healthcare Assistant on the Acute Stroke Unit for 5 years and 7 months, which I thoroughly enjoy. Working during the pandemic has been tough and worrying for everyone but we all knuckled down and got on with it and continue to do so, because somebody has to! We just hope and pray that this will all end soon and we can all feel proud of the part which we played in this crisis, which was to provide the best care that we could for our patients.

I voluntarily sent my photograph to Joanne, as I thought it was a lovely way to mark this period, in which NHS staff have worked so hard and selflessly. Also all of the commitment and hard work put in by Joanne, will hopefully get to be displayed to commemorate this. Thanks again Joanne x

I am a nursing sister running the Max Fax OPD. Working during the pandemic was extremely stressful but it has showed me that my team of nurses and doctors are one of a kind as we all pulled together an supported each other throughout the whole time.

I agreed to be a part of the project as I thought it was interesting to see peoples’ eyes and emotions through Joanne’s paintings .

I am a nurse practitioner who works in ophthalmology, providing care in carrying out both clinic appointments and intravitreal injection list.

Working during the pandemic has been a source of stability for me as whilst my family and friends were furloughed I had a reason to get up and carry on with routine.

My day to day working life changed as our department was one of the services that stopped routine working so that the staff could be redeployed to ITU to help out.

I myself was not redeployed as we carried on with our Intravitreal injection lists throughout the lockdown as this is sight saving treatment and was classed as critical.

I spent the majority of my time either completing the lists or reviewing patients notes from the glaucoma service to grade them as to how urgent they would need to be seen when that would be possible again.

As a department we became a lot closer and stronger as we all supported each other through the pandemic and changes to our usual working environments, whilst also dealing with a loss of a colleague during this time.

My name is Maureen .

I’ve worked for NHS in many roles on the front line,

Next year I will have completed 50 years, I have never experienced the stress and outcome of the covid pandemic especially to relatives who were unable to visit there loved ones.

Thank you.

I work as an outpatient receptionist for the Alexandra hospital but my base is at the Princess of Wales hospital.

I have continued to work throughout the pandemic but with extra precautions such as masks and Perspex screens.

There have been different specialties in the department. April to August we had the Alexandra maternity services and now we have the Ophthalmology services.

I have been acquainted with Jo for a number of years through our work and wanted to support her in this project.

I worked on Rowan Suite as a HCA for my first job within the NHS and started during the pandemic in May. It was a scary time to start at the trust but the support and positive attitude has been remarkable from all staff I have worked with, and who I continue to work with. I have now changed my role and work as a TNA Apprentice on Outpatients, seeing the nurses constantly work hard, has pushed me to further my career.

Working throughout the pandemic has been tough but I know not to give up or let it beat us, as caring for sick people and promoting health is what we signed up to in the first place. It just pushes me to thrive to my best abilities and care for the patients as if they were family members. The patients have been so understanding and have adapted so well to the new changes within the hospital. I feel so proud to be a part of the NHS family.

Throughout the pandemic Joanne has been painting NHS staff to capture the emotions of the difficult times working through this pandemic.

I believe that we try to hide our feelings and emotions but sometimes we forget that our eyes speak. The face mask doesn’t always hide everything, we can read true emotions through the eyes of others. Joanne’s idea to capture this is amazing. I feel it is a great way for me to remember that my colleagues and I worked throughout the pandemic to help those in need. It is something to look back at and be proud of in the future. I will treasure my painting forever as it will remind me of all our hard work throughout this difficult time. Again, thank you NHS! We will never be defeated.

I am Therapies Senior Secretary supporting the physiotherapy, orthotic and therapy management teams across all sites. I am currently working from home during this lockdown due to current restrictions but I am able to fully support my team in this way. I decided to support Jo in her project as I believed it was a project that would bring all the staff together at this awful time and I believe it has with the staff talking daily about the amazing paintings that Jo has produced. I hope that it will become part of the hospital’s history as it highlights the way every member of staff is there to support each other.

I feel really privileged to be part of this project.

My role in the trust is a radiographer assistant. I work at the Alex and at Powch on Fridays, assisting the radiographers, sonographers and radiologists.

Working through this pandemic, I've felt privileged to still be providing the care I normally would provide, but just under different circumstances.

I feel quite honoured to be included, so that others can see through my eyes what we've gone through working as a whole team.

I was the first ward at Worcester Royal Hospital on Medical Short Stay to have the first covid positive patient. To me it meant giving care and compassion to patients who were frightened and very scared to offer comfort to the whole team, it felt very strange not to have relatives present when patients were at their sickest, we became their family we took that role very seriously and whole heartedly. I chose to take part so that everyone could see that even though behind the mask their was a nurse smiling back at you, to offer that reassurance and support.

This was such an amazing opportunity to mark an important moment in time and I felt really strongly that Joanne deserved all the support she could get. It was my honour to be involved.

My role in the Trust is Clinical Director for Women's Directorate and Lead for Maternal Medicine.

I was shielding from March till August 2020 due to being on the highly venerable list. Being at home for such a long time with not being able to go out not even for exercise till almost at the end of lockdown was really hard. Watching everything that was happening with the pandemic and the NHS on the news and social media made me so proud to work for the NHS and so thankful to my colleagues, family and friends who were working hard at various hospitals over the country. The clapping for the NHS/carers was something for me to look forward to every week during lockdown and to hear everyone cheering brought a overwhelming sense of pride and a huge feeling of gratitude from everyone near and far.

I came back to work at the end of August and have had to now shield again till December but the few months I was working in radiotherapy it made me realise how well everyone was coping and adapting to a virus that had taken over the world. Everybody from the cleaners, admin, doctors and security and everyone in between were all pulling together and supporting each other in a way I’d not seen before. There were some really big changes in our department but due to radiotherapy still having to go ahead we all pulled together and we saw and treated patients regardless of the pandemic. Well done everyone!

I work as a nurse endoscopist across all WAHT sites. My main job role is the diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers; trying to make very invasive procedures as easy as I can for very scared patients. I work with fantastic people and meet some inspiring patients. COVID had meant that a lot of our services stopped; but this didn't mean that we did. It gave us an opportunity to do some housekeeping and streamlining of service provision. Our workload has increased, delivery of service changed and we are attempting to see as many people as we can to ensure that patients get the treatment and care they require in a timely fashion. I admire how the nurses, porters, booking teams and patients have been flexible and understanding when the world has turned upside down. I have respect for each and everyone who has been part these challenging times.

HCA Alex Hospital Ward 11

I work in the Med Ed Department as a Medical Education Administrator. I am the lead administrator for the General Practitioner’s Vocational Training Scheme, organise Pharmaceutical Representatives for the sponsorship of Physicians and Paediatric teaching sessions and arrange the sponsorship and organisation of the GP Study Days. I create registers and feedback forms for the teaching sessions and summarise the feedback received. I also deal with the creating and chasing of invoices for room hire and sponsorship of the meetings held within the Charles Hastings Education Centre.

The pandemic has been a challenging time for me (as it has all of us) as I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, struggled with my anxiety and lost my nan all in the space of a few months.

With regards to work, many teaching sessions had been cancelled, reducing our workload and we have all had to change the way that we work by using other methods for teaching; such as Zoom/ Teams. There have been many teething problems with this, however we have all come together to try to make it work as best as possible during these strange and challenging times. We have also had to limit the amount of attendees into the teaching rooms/lecture theatre/Lab/Office, which has impacted the face-to-face teaching as well as the social aspect of being allowed/available to see everyone in one place at the same time, like we always used to.

As our office is small, we have started to work on a rota, so that we have a maximum of x2 members of staff in the office at one time, with the rest working from home.

I enjoyed the face-to-face interaction from the trainees, reps and other colleagues that I came into contact with, so it is strange to no longer be able to see everyone and feels incredibly quiet (which I am not!)

The pandemic has however brought my family closer together after the loss of a well-loved and well respected family member and made us realise to not take things for granted. Life really is too short! Enjoy the little things; like taking a walk through nature. Eat the cake! Have a cheeky glass of wine! Do what makes YOU happy!

Days spent together are more precious than anything that you can possibly buy…even loo roll! ;). I agreed to participate in this project as I feel that everyone has a part to play in the trust, regardless of who you are or what you do. We are all in this together.

Well done Joanne for giving your time to do this. Communication is so important and I think that these pieces are a beautiful way of showing the importance of eye contact!

Plaster Room Technician

Staff Nurse Urology

Orthopaedic Surgeon

SHU

Health Care Assistant

Surgical Urology Staff Nurse Ward 18

My name is John Stanton and I’m a Staff Nurse in A&E at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch . I qualified just before the pandemic started on the 12th of February. When the pandemic came we was all unprepared for what we faced. We as a team have battled with a togetherness to fight this head on. Hopefully now there is a glimmer of hope, with a new vaccine the pandemic will be over. Seeing this great project Jo is doing encapsulates what we have been through. My painting was from a photograph taken before my first shift in the respiratory cohort area in A&E. Jo like many of her other great paintings captured what I was feeling that day fear and hope. Jo’s project is brilliant that it can be displayed for people to witness what we as a team were going through. Finally thank you to both of you for putting on this fantastic project and keep up the good work . Stay safe and take care .

Homeless Pathway Officer for Acute and Community Hospitals

Junior Sister Medical Short Stay

Transfusion Administrator

Theatre Scrub Practitioner

Operation Theatre Practitioner, Aneasthetic Nurse

Director of Operations Urgent Care

I think this project is just fantastic, the faces behind the masks all hold stories and they are the trusts biggest and best asset. When I saw her post I think it just sparked my interest as I find myself looking to my patients eyes when I see them and I’m sure they do the same to me as without the rest of the face to help show our emotions and expressions we have little else?

I loved that she wanted to focus on the eyes because they are so important, they can show so much about the person and that’s what our patients see now….

I have worked in the trust for 15 years and am now a Cancer Clinical Nurse specialist for the Head and Neck team, it is a very busy service and our work has not stopped during the pandemic so for me it has been business as usual but with greater anxiety and each day has thrown me new challenges to deal with. Its been tiring but each and every day I endeavor to keep smiling (behind my mask) for my patients as they are the most important part of my day.

I am the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Ophthalmology. My role includes delivering eye injections and reviewing treatment plans for patients in the macular service. I am also the lead for the countywide Ophthalmology NPs.

Since I was an ITU nurse many years ago, the pandemic meant I was redeployed to ITU in the Trust for 8 weeks. I had not worked in this ITU before and lots has changed in the past 15-16 years but lots did come flooding back to me and I was soon looking after my own patients. There have been some harrowing times but there have also been some truly wonderful times with people pulling together as we fight this virus. I have had knitted dolls made of myself and my NP team and to be a part of this project also seems a fabulous thing to do - to mark these unprecedented times and to support someone who is willing to spend their time being so creative. The eyes certainly have it! 2020 - what a year!

Respiratory Ward Healthcare Assistant

I am a Respiratory Physiologist working at WRH in Clinical Investigations Cardiopulmonary department.

The pandemic has meant my role has slightly changed. Usually the clinics I work in are predominately Lung Function testing however when those were postponed due to Covid-19 I've being working alongside the Sleep Service team supporting patients via their remote monitoring and telephone service for our CPAP users. It has also meant postponing my ARTP respiratory exam until next year which was disappointing as I only graduated from University September 2019 and this being my first year as a newly qualified Respiratory Physiologist, I was hoping to have sat my exam that same year.

When I agreed to take part in Joanne's art project, I saw this as an opportunity to be involved in something memorable and fun! Joanne's idea to capture 'our eyes' whilst wearing masks reminds me how important our eyes are for communicating non-verbally when our smiles have been covered up during this Pandemic. This picture will always remind me of that.

I am an Administration Assistant for the Therapies department. For me, the pandemic has been a chance to reset and re-evaluate. I felt that I lived a much simpler life and realised that I didn’t need ‘things’. Jo is a friend of mine so I wanted to support her project but also I thought it would be lovely to have a visual reminder of this time to show future generations of my family what we went through in 2020.

I am a senior rotational physiotherapist. At the start of the pandemic I was on rotation at KTC on outpatients. I transferred back to WRH to help and was based mainly on ITU as well as some of the medical wards. I am now working on neuro-rehab. For me the pandemic has meant team work and support (within and between roles). It certainly has demonstrated how we sometimes need to lean on our colleagues as they are the ones that best know what we are going through.

I'm a senior staff nurse in Ophthalmology that was redeployed to ITU. Scared was an understatement - I had never experienced ITU nursing (not even as a student). BUT being a nurse is about caring, looking after people in their hour of need - I wasn't going to run away from the situation.

Joanne's piece of art of me, captures me so very well - I nursed the most sickest of patients, but I feel my eyes say I'm scared too.

My role at the hospital is an admin in the orthotics department. I started in the trust in 1987 on a YTS scheme in health records, moving to orthotics to support the existing orthotics clerk as her role increased. The pandemic has been unlike any other change in the service in all the years I have worked here. It has tested systems and processes to the limit and made us rethink how we do every part of our job. Jo’s amazing work reflects so well the strains the staff are under, yet the kindness that has been shown between staff comes across in people’s eyes too. Covid-19 has certainly changed how we interact with one another and this comes across so well in the paintings Jo is producing.

I am a Stroke Specialist Nurse based on the Acute Stroke Unit at WRH. It has been a difficult time during the pandemic for us all but we have tried to maintain a semblance of 'normality' for our patients.

I was happy to participate in Jo's exhibition to help her achieve her goal, in demonstrating how nursing compassion is portrayed, despite having half our faces covered. It is something that can be used and kept for prosperity for future healthcare professionals to reflect upon.

Head of Quality Hub & Healthcare Standards

Ward Clark

My role [as HR Medical Resourcing Assistant] involves carrying out pre-employment clearances for all incoming Medical Staff. The Pandemic has meant that we have seen disruptions to the usual flow of this process, but the team have worked together to minimise this in any way possible.

Urology Cancer Coordinator

Administrator Breast Unit Haven

I am a healthcare assistant on the Renal Ward in Aconbury 3. The pandemic has been a tough time for everyone but I feel it’s brought people closer together and making people care more.

People having to use their eyes to show expression is amazing and that’s why I agreed to let my picture be painted.

Staff Nurse Ophthalmology

Senior OT Assistant

My job role is a Practice Facilitator which means I support all of the pre-registration Student Nurses and support the Supervisors and Assessors in clinical areas to support students on placement. The pandemic has been extremely difficult for me as a Facilitator as we were prevented from attending the ward areas, which meant I was not able to visit my students and support in the way I normally would. The students opted in to help with the pandemic, but for quite a number of students it was a shock and they had no idea how difficult it was going to be and it was really frustrating for me not being able to provide the pastoral support, the face-to-face or the reassuring pat on the arm to let them know it will all be just fine. I had to revert to communicating via e-mails, or Teams meetings, which completely removed the personal touch of my role.

I offered to help with Joanne’s project as it interested me, I always tell my students that although you have a mask on you must still smile and your eyes will smile with you. The patients will know if you are happy by your eyes

Occupational Therapist

Senior Health Support Worker Ophthalmology

Sonographer

SRN

Theatre Assistant

Medical Support Worker Phlebotomist

I work as a Health Care Assistant on Aconbury 3. My start date was February 2020 right at the start of the pandemic.

I caught coronavirus got quite ill, couldn't see my family for six months which was really hard particularly as my parents are both unwell, realised how great it was having a dog to walk during lockdown.

Also, despite everything I really love my job and my colleagues are now all good friends.

I decided to take part in having my picture drawn for Joanne’s art project as I am proud of myself for working throughout Covid-19 and want to be a part of history.

Staff Nurse SCDU

MLA

I am a ward clerk on AMU/AEC and AMU/AEC clinic assistant. I have worked on this ward previously MAU for over 17 years as an HCA and then ward clerk. I love the fast pace and varied work. I am only a few years from retirement now. I had covid in April and thought it would be the end of me it was horrible. I live with my 97 year old father so feared greatly for him.

I am an Advanced Clinical Nurse specialist in Rheumatology.

As part of the fight against Coronavirus I was redeployed to ICU. It is possibly one of the most challenging things I have ever done and the memories of that time will stay with me forever. I feel I stepped up when needed and know that once a nurse always a nurse wherever that may take you.

The art project Joanne is doing is incredible, she is so talented. To have all those amazing people working in the Trust showcased in this way I think is really moving.

Junior Doctor

HCA

MLA

Student Nurse (3rd Year)

Ophthalmology

Housekeeping

Therapies

I am Katy. I am an A&E sister at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and have worked here for the last 7 years. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown us many challenges in A&E but the fantastic team have come together as they always do. They have risen to the challenge and have continued to provide first class care to every patient that’s come through the A&E doors.

Staff Nurse

Hydrotherapy

Senior Occupational Therapist

I am a senior MSK Physiotherapist working within the musculoskeletal outpatient service at WAHT. Throughout the pandemic the MSK physiotherapy team have had to adapt our way of working to cover the additional inpatient requirements whilst maintaining quality of treatment and care for all of our outpatient patients. We have had to come together as a team to adjust and support each other throughout these difficult times.

I agreed to take part in Jo's art project to raise awareness and representation of Allied Health Professionals within the Trust as the work we all do is imperative for patient care from admission through to discharge and onwards to aftercare.

I think that Jo has put so much of her own time and resources into something positive during the COVID-19 pandemic and this should be celebrated.

Sister

I work in A&E Reception. When Covid first started we were very scared being front line. We have now got used to wearing our PPE at all times and we just get on with the very busy dept.