Thursday 21 October 2021
Over the past six months, Willow ward at West Park Hospital in Darlington has been running a photography club to help patients on the high dependency unit engage in activities to help boost their mental wellbeing.
What first began as a scavenger hunt to photograph certain subjects has now grown to patients attending regular group or 1:1 sessions taking pictures in and around the hospital grounds.
Ian, a patient on the ward thought he would try something new and soon developed a keen interest in photography. Emma Blewitt, activities co-ordinator said: “Ian focusses on pictures that involve nature as he finds this very calming and peaceful especially on tough days.
“His confidence and self-esteem has grown so much that he put together a portfolio of his work and displayed some of his favourite images in an exhibition on the ward. This has played a vital role in his recovery and his face lights up with pride when people stop to view the images and compliment his work.”
We can see why, it certainly brightens up the ward and brings the outside in.
