A time capsule with a range of touching mementoes has been buried beside a tall willow tree on the site of the £20million new mental health unit next to St Mary’s Hospital in Armley.
The objects inside the capsule were created by young service users of the new Red Kite View, which is set to be home to the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service (CYPHMS) for West Yorkshire when it is opened later this year.
They were chosen to mark the past and celebrate the future of the service and include a staff ‘family tree’, a painted Covid face mask, a collage of today’s fashions, current coins, and a crocheted ‘2021’ on a sunflower.
Dawn Hanwell, Deputy Chief Executive of the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“This building and this service is all about young people, and so it’s very appropriate that they should have chosen the items that have gone into the capsule. The items won’t see the light of day for 50 years – but they are a thoughtful and very touching representation of how our young service users see how we work with them.
“Red Kite View will be more than just a building. The service helps young people with complex mental health issues, and aims to help them return to the community where young people should be, living their lives and thriving.”
Sophie Brown, activities co-ordinator for the service, said the young people felt proud to contribute to the new building.
“They chose these items to give an insight into our ways and times to future generations. Our young people shared in laughter whilst making the objects and expressed an interest in how the new unit would be run in 50 years time. Some even expressed a wish to be present when the capsule is eventually opened!”