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Children remember their loved ones at hospice art day

27 September 2010

There was an explosion of paint, pastels and glitter at Saint Francis Hospice on Saturday September 18, as 23 young artists took over for the Fireworks and Feelings Art Day.

The art day, held at the Pepperell Education Centre at the hospice, was for young people aged between 5 and 18, who have been recently bereaved. Their aim for the day was to produce a piece of art in memory of their loved one, which will be exhibited to the public at a later date.

Donations from a number of local groups and businesses allowed the hospice to purchase a wide variety of materials, including glitter glue, stickers, feathers, ribbons, canvasses, brushes and paint.

The day was organised by the Family Support Service, who offer counselling, guidance, and practical and emotional support to all patients, their relatives and their children. In their counselling sessions, children are often invited to use art as a way to express their emotions.

Paul Sullivan, the Family Support Service manager explains: “Using art as a therapeutic tool can provide children and young people with an unthreatening method of expressing themselves – they are often naturally artistic and creative and therefore find that they can express their feelings with some crayons or paint more easily than they can through words.  

“The art day not only allowed this free expression it also facilitated a safe environment where the children and young people met others who are in a similar situation, and could talk about their special person who had died.”

Laura Lingwood, 9, attended the art day with her younger sister, Amy, 5. Their dad Jim died when he was aged just 39 after losing his battle with cancer. For her exhibition picture, Laura painted the words ‘dad’, alongside three pink, sparkly hearts.  

She said: “I really enjoyed the day, my favourite part was the arty crafty things, and eating the pizza for lunch! I made quite a lot of friends, and I’m really looking forward to seeing my picture for dad framed at the exhibition.”

Her mum, Sharron said: “Both girls came home from the art day covered in paint, which is always a good sign. There is glitter all over the house now, and all the pictures they painted are up on the walls. They had such a lovely day, it was brilliant and so well organised. I think an important part of the day was the girls realising they’re not the only ones to go through what they’ve been through. It’s not a comfort that other people are going through pain, but it is a comfort knowing you have something in common.”
 

With special thanks to the following sponsor for their kind donations:

Havering 90 Joggers
Avon Metals Ltd
Simmonds (Metal Trading) Ltd
Wilbury Metals Ltd
Globalrate Metals Ltd
Caroline & Steve Midgley
Hussey & Greaves

 

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