Young artist inspires giant sculpture at Irchester Country Park

17 July 2024

Budding creative Nevaeh Hardingham from Little Stanion School drew a design during last year’s Children’s Mental Health Week. As winner of the competition, she was invited along to Irchester Country Park to see it transformed into an enormous willow sculpture.

The theme was ‘what good mental health looks like to me’ and all schools in North Northamptonshire were invited by the Healthy Schools team to put forward an entry which best demonstrated what this meant for them.

Nevaeh’s artwork was chosen, by a panel of judges, from entries from over 30 schools in North Northamptonshire.

The artist, her teacher, and a schoolfriend were joined by North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Gill Mercer, Director of Public Health, Communities and Leisure, Jane Bethea, and staff from the country parks and public health teams, as well as the sculpture’s creator, artist Deb Jones.

All were gathered at Irchester Country Park for a special event to unveil the huge sculpture.

I was delighted to be invited along to the unveiling of the sculpture, to congratulate our winner personally. It is certainly an impressive sight and inspired by an obviously very talented, creative young lady.

When we experienced periods of social isolation and lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us re-discovered how important being outdoors and in nature is to our wellbeing and mental health.

I would encourage people to visit the sculpture and take a moment to stop and think about their mental health. What better place to do that than surrounded by nature in one of our beautiful country parks.Councillor Gill Mercer, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing

Artist Deb Jones has used Nevaeh’s design to inspire the creation of an incredible willow sculpture, which has now been installed at Irchester Country Park for all to see and celebrate. She also taught the young artist, her friend, and teacher how to create their own mini willow sculptures.

The theme for Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 was ‘Let’s Connect’. Our Healthy Schools team provided a resource pack to all schools, which focused on how connecting with nature and the outdoors can aid positive mental health and wellbeing.

I am looking forward to visiting the sculpture at Irchester Country Park for myself. It’s just one of five beautiful country parks we have in North Northamptonshire. Each offer plenty of opportunities to learn about nature as well as connect with other people in the great outdoors.Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council

Find out more about Irchester and North Northamptonshire country parks.