Hospice tells stories through art exhibition

Wendy Brookfield said she found art sessions at the hospice really helpful

A hospice patient has said it is a "privilege" to be able to share a collection of her art with the public.

Wendy Brookfield's art will form part of a display at Severn Hospice at Bicton, Shrewsbury, next week and she said each work was an expression of how she was feeling at the time.

She has been taking part in creativity sessions and said: "Every exhibit has a story to tell, and my sketchbook chronicles are a continuation of the sessions."

Director of care, Becky Richardson, said she hoped the exhibition would "break down barriers" with the community and had invited local artists to include their works too.

Ms Richardson said: "We want people to come and see us and not be scared to come and see us and enjoy the other things that we do and the things that our patients do too."

The hospice opened a creative arts area in 2021 and she said: "This our first attempt at exploring emotions and showing how people express their feelings through art."

Wendy Brookfield's art is included in an exhibition going on display on 4 November

Ms Brookfield said: "I love art and being creative, so it is so special to be part of the hospice’s first ever art exhibition."

She said the hospice's art therapist had helped her "explore emotions and challenges in a positive and supported way and concentrate on living well".

Speaking about her works, she said: "Each is an expression of a particular day or situation, what I’m feeling or what I’m processing at the time."

Wendy Brookfield said each picture told a story

Ms Richardson said the art and creativity therapists at the Severn Hospice sites in Telford and Bicton also helped patients and families to put together memory boxes and take casts of patients' hands.

She said: "Some people find there's a lot of joy and they get pleasure out of painting."

The art work will go on display on 4 November, with tickets to view the exhibition costing £7.