Paints, crayons, and crafts are helping seriously ill young people to get their thoughts and feelings down on paper in a new art therapy course at Derian House Children’s Hospice.
Youngsters are drawing, painting, and collaging in the one-to-one sessions with a qualified art therapist who works to encourage them to unleash their creativity and explore their challenges through art.
The eight week course is being funded by The Creative Health Trust UK, a charity that supports creative therapies in hospices throughout the country.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy and aims to reduce distress and improve social, emotional and mental health.
Francesca, 21, who visits Derian House, was one of the first young people to take part in an art therapy session.
“The mixture of art and therapy has helped me really get things out of my head and onto paper,” said Francesca.
“I talk a lot during the sessions. I can use paints, pencils, stickers. I get words down, and thoughts and ideas. I have taken photos in with me. Once it’s down on paper I let go of it all, which is good.
“It has helped me to express myself, and to process things that are going on in my life. It has helped me with decisions I have to make, and what to think or do about them. It has helped me when I’ve felt confused, and given me a way to say how it is in simpler terms. It’s helping me learn to focus on myself, and I think that’s good.”
Derian House is hoping to provide more sessions like these in the future, even extending them to brothers and sisters of children who use the hospice.
Bridget Thomas, Clinical Director at Derian House, said: “Art therapy gives our young people a safe space to say what they might not be able to put into words. It’s a really powerful tool that can help to express complex emotions, especially for a young person who might not always find it easy to communicate how they feel. At Derian House we do everything in our power to provide opportunities like these for our children and young people that they might not get anywhere else.”
Bob Sutcliffe, founder of The Creative Health Trust UK – a charity that supports creative therapies in hospices, said: “I taught myself to paint after being diagnosed with a heart condition and a recurrence of a rare form of epilepsy. Given my own personal experiences with the benefits of creativity on my health, I wanted to give others the same opportunities.
“Creativity reduces anxiety, depression, and stress… and it can also help you process trauma. Art can provide access to complex feelings communicated through metaphor and imagery. I’m glad that the young people at Derian House are enjoying expressing themselves through their creativity. You never know what skills you may have hidden. Art is very broad, so anything goes!”
Derian House Children’s Hospice, based in Chorley, Lancashire, cares for more than 400 babies, children, young people and their families from across the North West, helping them to make the most of every moment.
Although care is free for families, it costs £6million each year to run the hospice. With only a small percentage of this coming from the government, the charity relies heavily on the generosity of its supporters. Find out more: www.derianhouse.co.uk
