Artistic nurse gives care home workers superhero makeover

A nurse has given her “heroic” care home colleagues a superhero-style boost – by depicting them in an amazing caped-crusader gallery.

Wonder woman Lynn Bell, 53, who works in Parksprings care home, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, created caricatures of all of her co-workers – in full-flight and resplendent in flowing capes.

Gran-of-two Lynn paints to help her unwind after a night shift, and said her artwork has been inspired by the collective spirit of the team.

Lynn said: “Each and every one of my workmates has demonstrated an inner strength that would put The Hulk in the shade.

“It’s well publicised that Covid-19 posed very real challenges for care homes over the last year or so.

“My colleagues’ capacity for compassion and commitment, however, has known no bounds.

“I wanted to help recognise what has really been a superhuman effort.

“Most importantly, I just wanted to put a smile on everyone’s faces.”

The nurse, from Cambusnethan, Wishaw has been painting from childhood.

Lynn's paintings hanging on the walls inside Parksprings care home. — Lynn’s paintings hanging on the walls inside Parksprings care home. SWNS via SWNS

She moved into the care home sector in 2011 after working as a hospital nurse for five years.

Lynn added: “From helping my children – and now grandchildren – in their school art assignments, to painting friends’ pets, there’s not much I’ve not turned my hand to.

“I was looking for a new project to get my teeth into.

“The inspiration was right there in front of me.

“Since starting work in care homes a decade ago, I’ve always loved the sense of togetherness, among staff and residents alike.

“That applies to the good times and the bad.

“In the last year everyone has had so much to deal with, none more so than our residents and their families.

“I’ve also seen how all of my colleagues have responded to adversity, how they’ve adapted to new ways of working – and how they’ve kept caring for, and reassuring residents, every step of the way.

Linda Webb, Rosie Brennan, Lynn Bell and Michelle Carrigan. SWNS via SWNS

“I think what can be overlooked, sometimes, is that care home staff are human too.

“They have worries, anxieties of their own.

“Despite that, their commitment is unwavering.

“They are all my heroes and it’s a privilege to work among them.”

Michelle Carrigan, Parksprings Care Home manager said: “The caped-crusader gallery has given everyone a real lift.

“It’s given the staff something to smile about and the residents love it.

“It’s all credit to Lynn’s thoughtfulness and talents.”

Lynn’s handiwork has been praised by Lanarkshire’s multiagency Care Home Staff Wellbeing Group.

Dr Susan Ross, consultant clinical psychologist and co-chair of the group, said: “We know staff being there for each other has been – and is – very effective and powerful.

“Super-talented Lynn has provided a very bright, and very brilliant, example of that in action.”