Permanent mural to honour University of Surrey students who fought COVID-19

The new commemorative mural celebrates students who went into paid placements, organised in conjunction with NHS England and Health Education England, for the final part of their degree programme. These Surrey students were employed as part of the healthcare workforce to support colleagues across various settings, assisting with the care of patients suffering from COVID-19.

All 2020 final-year students rose to the challenge and completed their professional qualification and degree whilst also working full-time. Over 300 students were deployed during the first wave of the pandemic, each playing an integral role in the NHS’s ongoing service to the nation.

The mural, which features a rainbow to symbolise the message of hope in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, is located in the reception area of the Kate Granger building, home of the School of Health Sciences. Professor Melaine Coward, Head of the School of Health Sciences, Jackie McBride, Senior Teaching Fellow in Integrated Care, Head of Professional Preparation within Integrated Care and Lizzie Rodulson, University of Surrey nursing graduate and Students’ Union President, unveiled the mural.

Professor Melaine Coward, said: “Our Surrey students are fantastic role models for all health science students. I would like to extend my thanks to every one of them who used their skills and knowledge to help both healthcare staff and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am so proud of these students, who supported their colleagues in the most unprecedented circumstances when it was desperately needed. I hope that the rainbow mural lifts people’s spirits but also reminds us of how we can achieve great things by working together.”