Cancerxa0Focusxa0Northern Ireland is providing an art therapy service, free of charge, forxa0cancerxa0patients in Downpatrick and the surrounding area.
Running every Wednesday for six weeks from 18xa0September until 23xa0October, the art therapy group will meetxa0fromxa02.30pm to 4.30pmxa0at Downe Hospital, 2 Struell Wells Road, Downpatrick.
[caption id="attachment_42233" align="alignleft" width="350"]
A painting by cancer sufferer Matthew Knowles of Shrigleyxa0[/caption]Caryl Sibbett, Sessional Art Therapist withxa0Cancerxa0Focus,xa0said: “You do not need to be artistic or have any experience in art to enjoy the benefits of art therapy.xa0 Art therapy can help people communicate anxiety or stress.xa0 In my experience many participants find the creative process relaxing and they can unwind while chatting to others who are in a similar situation.
“We know thatxa0cancerxa0affects everyone differently.xa0 It can make people feel that they have lost control, increase feelings of isolation and can often reduce a person’s self-esteem. However, research has shown that creating art can have a positive impact – improving a patient’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. For manyxa0cancerxa0patients this can result in a better understanding of their illness and coming to terms with the disease and the future.”
Matthew Knowlesxa0from Shrigley, near Killyleagh, was diagnosed with leukaemia in April 2008. He said: “Life took on a different pace – all of a sudden I was going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions.xa0 I had to spend weeks in hospital only getting out for a weekend before starting my next session of treatment.”
While he was in hospital he was visited by axa0Cancerxa0Focusxa0counsellor. “The counsellor was a real lifeline. I was able to share things with him that I couldn’t speak about to my family and friends,” added Matthew.xa0“I was encouraged to start drawing again.xa0 I’d always enjoyed art but since I’d been ill, I’d lost interest in it.xa0 He told me about the Art Therapy service thatxa0Cancerxa0Focusxa0provides but to be honest, but initially I didn’t think it was my kind of thing.
“I half-heartedly went along to one of the group sessions in Downpatrick and slowly began to ease myself into drawing again.xa0 The group was great – everyone had been affected byxa0cancerxa0so it felt like we were all in it together.xa0 If I wasn’t able to go for a couple of weeks people would ask me how I was – there was real concern for my welfare.
“Making sketches and producing paintings has helped me to deal with what I’ve been through.xa0 It’s been a tough journey, not just for me, but also my wife and daughter.”
Cancerxa0Focus’ Art Therapy sessions are entirely confidential and take place in a safe and caring environment. All materials are provided free of charge and participants can use a variety of mediums such as paints, pastels, pencils or clay.
Cancerxa0patients are required to pre-book as there are a limited number of places available. To book please contactxa0Cancerxa0Focus, the new name for the Ulsterxa0Cancerxa0Foundation, on 028 9066 3281 or emailxa0[email protected]
]]>
