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'The Colours of Hope' Art Exhibition displayed at Ysbyty George Thomas

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board was delighted to exhibit patients’ creative artwork and writing at Ysbyty George Thomas yesterday.

Patients on the Support and Recovery Unit at Ysbyty George Thomas proudly showcased their artwork, which they undertook over a twelve week period with visual artist Chris Walters and creative writer Graham Hartill.  The exhibition was named ‘the colour of hope’, which was taken from one of the patient’s poems ‘green is the colour of hope’.

The 12 week art project was open to anyone on the Hospital’s supported recovery unit, wanting to take part.  A wide range of art materials were made available, and patients could either sit and talk, draw or write about topics important to them. The artists then supported the group to put their ideas into drawings and words.

Clinical Psychologist, Laura Freeman said: “Creative arts are hugely import as a means of expression for individuals who have histories of trauma and difficulty.  They may not have the confidence or the trust in others to engage in talking therapies but can find other ways to explore how they are feeling and feel heard and understood through art work. 

“Living in a hospital setting for long periods, as our patients do, can also be tedious and disheartening at times and so finding interesting and engaging ways to pass the time is really important.  Artists Graham and Chris have been extremely patient and creative in finding ways to help each individual get involved and express themselves in a way that works for them.  When they visit, there is a real sense of people coming together and there’s lots of fun and laughter, it has been really exciting to see.”

One of the patients, James who took part in the project said: “Being creative and artistic helps my mental health and makes me feel like I’ve been doing something good.  It has a lasting effect and makes me feel happy, I am so happy I took part, I really enjoyed it.”

Visual Artist Chris Walters said: “It has been fantastic working with the ward and patients in the supported recovery unit at Ysbyty George Thomas.  The patients were extremely engaging and we had lots of fun.  We started by asking the patients to just draw a shape on paper with charcoal, we then asked what they could see out of the shapes and from that built many different pieces of art, creative artist Graham, would then look at words and poems that related to the images.   I love working with people, everyone was so engaging it was fantastic.”

Creative writer, Graham Hartill said: “It has been a pleasure working with this group of people.  The ideas the patients came up with were amazing, we had poems and writing on many subjects including the Aberfan disaster and their experience of growing up.  Everyone enjoyed taking part and was very enthusiastic.  Seeing the pieces of art come together with the writing at the end of the project was delightful.”

RCT Councilor Sêra Evans said: “The art therapy project at Ysbyty George Thomas has evidently had a profound effect on patient wellbeing. The project has had a visible impact in terms of developing talking therapies within the ward, which is vitally important in supporting the clinical work. The project has been truly collaborative in nature, from engaging with University of South Wales students in delivering the project, as well as local artists and writers, as well as the clinical interventions – this has been a team effort, resulting in very creative and positive outcomes for some of the health board’s most vulnerable patients. I look forward to understanding how the initiative can be further developed to further support patients.”

Esyllt George, Arts and Health Coordinator for the Health Board said: “I am delighted that the arts and health team has been able to support such an exciting and inspirational arts for wellbeing initiative at YGT. We plan for this work to continue into the future which includes being part of a wider strategic vision in developing and embedding arts for health and wellbeing within mental health services in CTMUHB.”

The ward would love to carry on with creative work with the patients and are looking for donations of new art materials.  If you would like to donate materials please email CTM.Communications@wales.nhs.uk and donations can be arranged to the ward.

24/03/2023