Two murals, alongside new vinyl artwork, are now part of the very fabric of the Community Diagnostic Centre.
This exciting project has been funded by University Hospitals Tees Charities and Tees Valley Museums, supported using funding by Arts Council England.
This exciting project has been funded by University Hospitals Tees Charities and Tees Valley Museums, supported using funding by Arts Council England.
The two large-scale mural artworks cover the walls of the two stairwells of the Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) – showcasing the history and pride in the community we live in.
About the artwork
At the start of 2026, the Arts Council at the University Hospitals Tees and Tees Valley Museums placed a joint call out to local artists for help to create two individual pieces of art to decorate the two stairwells at the Community Diagnostic Centre.
As an entirely new community healthcare space, boasting many white walls; the brief was to create two large and visually striking, industrial heritage, and health themed artworks for the space.
Local artist Lily Rose Cockfield, from Hartlepool, was chosen as Artist in Residence and quickly developed a project plan alongside Jo-Ann Cole from Tees Valley Museums and Donna Fairhurst from the University Hospitals Tees Arts Council.
A series of engagement sessions were held across local hospitals, the Community Diagnostic Centre and at Preston Park Museum, Museum of Hartlepool and Kirkleatham Museum; where more than 400 ideas and designs were shared and created by over 300 staff, patients and members of the public. These events all helped to shape the two visually striking installations. Industrial artefacts from local museums were also used alongside Lily’s creativity, to help inspire ideas and inform the final pieces.
Inspired by the North East’s rich heritage, Lily’s two mural designs embrace an “Industrial Roots, Healthy Futures” theme. The work reflects upon and celebrates the Tees Valley’s rich industrial past – steelmaking, shipbuilding, railways, and chemical industries. Reflecting the resilience, pride and creativity of the local community and the importance of health. Lily suggested large wall murals because of the impact the scale of the pieces would make in the bright and airy spaces – rather than having smaller pieces of artwork installed onto the wall.
The unique murals have been truly co-designed, reflecting the contributions and creativity of staff and local residents. They were painted over a number of weeks and the artist spoke with over 90 people during their installation – making them truly collaborative and community focused artworks that have generated a lot of discussion and engagement from the public and staff.
The unveiling of the murals, which took place on 6 October 2026, also showcased new vinyl artwork designed by the University Hospitals Tees design team, whose creative work further enhances the welcoming environment of the CDC.
The artwork was made possible thanks to the contributions of everyone who took part in the initial engagement sessions, alongside Lily’s passion, creativity and drive to transform those ideas into two striking murals that will spark conversation and be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.
About the artist
LROSE.Designs
- Alumni MA Design Practice (NSOA)
- Director Story and Studio CIC
- Shortlisted Young Entrepreneur Award 2025 and 2026
Hartlepool-based Lily Rose Cockfield is a creative multidisciplinary practitioner who works across the Tees Valley.
Lily is deeply passionate about celebrating north-east communities and creating artwork people can feel genuinely connected to that creates a sense of pride in the places we live and work. She specialises in murals, public art and community-led creative projects – striving to make art accessible and meaningful to everyone.
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