At Herdy, we believe in the power of kindness and a good dose of Herdy happiness. That’s why we’re over the moon to share our latest project: bringing smiles and joy to the Penrith Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) with some ewe-nique and vibrant murals! Designed with love, these murals were created to help make the UTC more welcoming for children and families.
Diane Hannah and Emma Harrington stood in front of the waiting room mural.
We’ve added a splash of colour and fun to the hospital's waiting room and children’s triage room. The waiting area mural celebrates local landmarks like Lowther Castle and the Beacon, and even gives a nod to the UTC itself. Meanwhile, the children’s triage room features a cheerful view through an “open” window, revealing Herdy’s ongoing adventures in the Lake District.
These murals were specially designed to coincide with Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th. An annual initiative that inspires everyone to spread a little kindness and cheer. It’s a cause that’s close to our hearts, and this isn’t our first act of mural kindness. Back in 2024, we created bespoke designs for the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal, brightening up their children’s waiting area and treatment room. When Emma Harrington, a nurse at Penrith UTC, approached us to do something similar, we jumped at the chance to get involved.
Emma Harrington stood alongside the triage room mural.
Emma told us, “We are one of the few places that have adults and children waiting in the same area, and we wanted to make it more of a welcoming and friendly place for our younger visitors. I approached Herdy to see if they would be willing to work with us to improve the space, and they replied really quickly! I’m so pleased they donated these murals. We are thrilled with them, and they will make the space far more welcoming for children who need to use our services.”
We know hospital visits can be daunting, especially for children. Our goal with these murals was to create a fun and positive environment. Offering a cheerful distraction and a little touch of magic for young patients during what can be a stressful time. The designs also pay tribute to Penrith UTC’s amazing team. Featuring paramedics, doctors, nurses, and emergency responders, as well as mountain rescue and ambulance services. These are the real-life heroes of our community, and we’re proud to celebrate them.
Lauren Clapperton, Service Manager at Penrith UTC, shared her excitement about the project: “We love the new murals, and it’s great that they highlight how closely we work with our colleagues from other agencies. It’s really important to us that children and families have a nice environment while accessing our services.”
Diane Hannah, Herdy’s Co-founder, summed it up perfectly: “We were absolutely thrilled when Emma Harrington from Penrith Hospital got in touch after spotting the Herdy mural at Westmorland General. She asked if we could bring some of that same Herdy happiness to Penrith UTC — and of course, we said yes! We’re delighted to have donated and installed a bespoke Herdy mural designed especially to brighten up the children’s area. It’s full of cheerful Herdy characters, colourful landscapes, and playful scenes inspired by the Penrith area. We hope it brings a smile to little faces and helps make visits to the unit just that little bit easier.”
Staff at the Westmorland General Hospital stood alongside their murals.
So, if you’re visiting Penrith Urgent Treatment Centre, keep an eye out for Herdy! We hope our murals bring a touch of joy and a big smile to your day. Here’s to spreading kindness and happiness, one mural at a time!
