In the Waiting Room

Book your appointment at the Barkston Clinic to see and hear wonderful stories of the NHS from the communities of South Leeds. January 2020 Skippko started 'In the Waiting Room' a project celebrating 70 years of the NHS and 30 years of Skippko, revisiting two large textile banners commissioned by the NHS during the 50th anniversary 1998, still hanging in the St George's Centre in Middleton. Two months later, we were all in lockdown and the project was put on hold. Fast forward to September 2021 and we were able to bring participants back together again to share stories of the NHS both Covid and non-Covid related. On 24 and 25 June we are inviting people to book an appointment at the Barkston Clinic and join us to see and listen to the stories that emerged... “The national health service came into operation at midnight on 4th July 1948. How do I know? Because I was there, I was the midwife who brought her into the world, my name is Aneurin Nye Bevan, and I was health secretary for the Labour government at the time.” “When I came over from Bangladesh I couldn’t speak English. My son was born 7 weeks prematurely and was in special care baby unit incubator. You have to pay for medicine and care in Bangladesh. I was surprised that it was all free with NHS” The exhibited performance has been Directed by Anthony Haddon and devised in collaboration with performers Matthew Bellwood, Emma Baim and Oscar Stafford and sound artist James Mabbett. Non of this would be possible without our fabulous team of artist facilitators - Rozi Fuller, Anne Crowther, Sally Storr, Matthew Bellwood and the amazing people of South Leeds. 'In the Waiting Room' has been funded by Arts Council England and Leeds Inspired.