Humans Not Heroes

A woman wearing headphones sits in an armchair watching a small screen attached to the wall. Behind her are shelves of books.

The Humans Not Heroes project began in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Six cohorts of healthcare workers worked with writers, actors, and a sound designer to co-create six audio artworks based on their real-life experiences of working throughout the pandemic. Participants are from a variety of roles and experiences, from up and down the country.

Six artworks were launched as part of the Unmasked: Real Stories of Nursing in Covid-19 exhibition at the Royal College of Nursing Library in London and can be experienced online via our webpage here too.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: We are delighted to be working in partnership with Coventry University who are researching the impact of the Humans Not Heroes collection. The purpose of the research is to capture the impact of the audio artworks from the perspective of their audiences including the public, healthcare staff and those who contributed to their creation. We’d appreciate if you could fill out the SURVEY HERE to let us know your thoughts on the pieces. The research project is being conducted by Dr Sally Pezaro at Coventry University.

Boats on an Ocean and Thresholds were both made with support from Coventry Creates and featured in their 2020 and 2021 Coventry Creates online digital exhibitions. For more information, head to the Coventry Creates website here.

Humans Not Heroes as a project was shortlisted for the Student Nursing Times Awards 2021 in the Teaching Innovation of the Year category. Boats on an Ocean as a pilot was shortlisted for the Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance 2021 Collective Power Award.

In addition to the artworks, the team have also shared the processes and thoughts behind the work, including speaking at The People Place Power conference in December 2021, as well as at the University of Warwick’s Resonate Festival.

If you would like to learn more about Humans Not Heroes, please contact Susan Wareham on [email protected]

Funded by The Rayne Foundation, Coventry Creates (partnership between the University of Warwick and Coventry University) and The Churchill Fellowship. Ethical approval granted by Coventry University.

Photo © Justine Desmond

LISTEN ONLINE

The audio pieces are also available to listen to through this webpage as part of the online version of the exhibition, please click here to access or scroll down the page to view the video playlist. To select an audio piece, click on the down arrow to see all 6 videos. Listening instructions are provided below – we recommend reading these before engaging with the pieces. There is also a transcript of each piece available in the ‘Downloads’ block below.

CONTENT WARNING: These pieces contain themes of mortality and illness and is based on real life testimonies from front line NHS workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Listening Instructions

These pieces are emotive and designed to be intimate listening experiences. We would recommend somewhere quiet and comfortable.

Dr Liz Sparkes (Health Psychologist) recommends the following three steps to release tension and engage with feelings of wellbeing and compassion, before/during or after your listening experience:

As you settle into a comfortable seated position, notice how you are feeling exactly as you are, not trying to change it in any way. Perhaps label it.
Locate where you are drawn to physically within the body. Perhaps the sensations are in one area, or possibly across several sites. Just notice.
Begin to breathe into the area that draws your attention. Moving out of the mind and into the body. Now direct the breath into the area, bringing a sense of softening. Place a hand on to the heart area to encourage a soothing presence.

If, after listening to these audio recordings, you need to talk to someone about your experiences or someone you care about, there is advice and emotional support available from The Samaritans www.samaritans.org or call 116123 for free advice.

If you are a healthcare leader or manager, and want more advice on how to support your team, go to: www.supporttheworkers.org or contact us if you would like to use this resource with your healthcare team.

VISIT IN PERSON

The Humans Not Heroes audio artworks are on display in the UNMASKED: Real Stories of Nursing in Covid-19 exhibition at the Royal College of Nursing Library in London for six months before the exhibition moves to the Royal College of Nursing Library in Edinburgh from November 2023 to April 2024.

Royal College of Nursing Library and Heritage Centre
20 Cavendish Square
London
W1G 0RN

Open from Friday 12th May until Saturday 21st October, the exhibition is free to attend and will be open to the public when the library is open, which is Monday – Friday, 10am – 7pm and then some Saturdays. For up to date opening hours and directions on how to get the library, please visit the Royal College of Nursing website here.

Boats On An Ocean

“This is the moment when everyone else will just see sunshine today, but for me, I know this is the beginning of it.”

Writer & Director | Nick Walker
Performer | Bharti Patel
Sound Designer | Charlotte Bickley
Participant Co-creators | Multidisciplinary healthcare workers
Created for Coventry Creates

Click here to read a transcript of the piece.

Thresholds

“Today I drove to the hospital, and parked on a side street far away. Engine off. Earphones in. And walk. I keep my music playing until the last possible moment before I start my shift.”

Writer and Director | Rochi Rampal
Actor | Urielle Klein-Mekongo
Sound Designer | Charlotte Bickley
Participant Co-creators | Multidisciplinary healthcare workers
Created for Coventry Creates

Click here to read a transcript of the piece.

Stopped

“The statue and the poet watch as a huge black bird – with a bald bony body and feathered head the size of a car – settles herself on the roof of the hospital. She shuffles about wrapping and rewrapping her tatty wings around the ugly concrete. Like she’s trying to keep it warm, keep it safe.”

Writer and Director | Caroline Horton
Actor | Tessa Parr
Sound Designer | Charlotte Bickley
Participant Co-creators | Multidisciplinary healthcare workers

Click here to read a transcript of the piece.

Miles of Corridors

“I’ll tell you something. I’ll tell you a story. It’s only short, in the grand scheme of things. It won’t last long, but it feels like an eternity “

Writer and Director | Rochi Rampal
Actor | Alison Belbin
Sound Designer | Charlotte Bickley
Participant Co-creators | Multidisciplinary healthcare workers

Click here to read a transcript of the piece.

I Love The Feeling After A Run

“I love the feeling after a run. It’s like I’ve re-entered my body. Like I’ve moved through something.”

Writer and Director | Caroline Horton
Actor | Hannah Boyde
Sound Designer | Charlotte Bickley
Participant Co-creators | Multidisciplinary healthcare workers

Click here to read a transcript of the piece.

Rescue Mission

“And here we are. Rupa and Carmel and Marissa and Donna and me. We hold hands. Connected like the hearts on the wall.”

Writer and Director: Rochi Rampal
Actor: Nicole Sawyerr
BSL performer: Elizabeth Thomas-Morton
Sound Designer: Char Bickley
Participant Co-creators: Multidisciplinary healthcare workers
Video Design: Jay Thomas Morton

Click here to read a transcript of the piece.