A key part of the visit was the Weekend Leave Workshop, in which students took on the role of mental health professionals and debated whether patients should be granted leave from hospital, considering issues of wellbeing, autonomy, and safety.

Students also explored the museum's collection of artefacts, historical records, and patient artwork. The exhibits prompted thoughtful discussions about the changing understanding of mental health, the importance of empathy in care, and the role of creativity and art in expressing personal experiences. The images pictured below are just a selection of the artefacts students chose to write reflections on. 

The visit was an engaging and thought-provoking opportunity for students to connect their psychological studies with real-world examples of mental health care, both past and present.

Students commented: 

It was fascinating to connect what we have studied in Psychology lessons with real historical artefacts, patient records, and personal stories.

The visit challenged us to think beyond assumptions and consider the importance of empathy when understanding mental health difficulties.