The Earl Mountbatten Hospice has opened up its arts and crafts studios for the second year running as part of the summer Open Studios event to showcase the talents of its patients and volunteers.
The Hospice, which as part of its range of care services, provides diversional therapies in the form of arts and crafts for patients referred to the Hospice, opened its studio doors to patients, their families and visitors last Friday and Saturday as part of the event.
As well as seeing examples of the painting, ceramics, crafts and woodwork produced by the patients and arts volunteers, visitors were also able to talk to patients about their work and try their own hand at painting ceramics in the Hospice’s bright and airy studio.
Much of the patients’ work already decorates the walls of the John Cheverton Centre and for the next few weeks will be on sale in the shop in the Centre. Already hundreds of pounds have been raised through sales over the two days of the event.
Kate Mansbridge, who leads on diversional therapies for Earl Mountbatten Hospice, said:
“I’m delighted that we have been able to share with the Island community the incredible talents of our patients, many of whom didn’t even realise what they were capable of before they took up these activities.
“For many of our patients who have been newly diagnosed with their illness these therapies help them cope with their illness when perhaps they are unable to continue with the hobbies or activities they used to do.
“We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and those of our volunteers who give up their time to support these activities.”
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The John Cheverton Centre shop is open between 10:00 and 16:00, Monday-Saturday and visitors are also welcome to visit the café and information areas.
Photograph: Day Patient David Birch and Day Services Volunteer Pauline Burford
