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(from left) Day Hospice patients Chris Maher and Kate Holmes pose with art tutor Roger Dealaselle and Bereavement Services volunteer Margaret Niblett (far right) - pic courtesy of Birmingham Mail

Talented Patients Show Off Art Skills with Special Bereavement Cards

 

July 19, 2010

A pair of budding Picassos at Birmingham St Mary’s Day Hospice weekly art class have had their stunning works turned into soothing bereavement cards.  

Day Hospice patients Kate Holmes and Chris Maher painted the beautiful landscape scenes during the art sessions run by volunteer Roger Dealaselle.  

When Hospice Bereavement services staff saw the eye-catching paintings they knew at a stroke they set just the right tone for Birmingham St Mary’s exclusive bereavement cards, which are sent out to families on the first anniversary following a loss. The pictures were picked from a selection of paintings by members of the art group. 

Kate’s image depicts a lavender field and was created from mind using pastels and water colours. Chris’s painting, meanwhile, is a bluebell woods scene in water colours referenced from a photograph taken by Roger.  

Kate said she was delighted that her art work was being used for the cards. “I never expected that my paintings would be used in this way. I am very happy that we are able to make a contribution.” 

Chris added: “Roger’s classes are brilliant and I really look forward to taking part each week. He really is a great example of what volunteers can achieve.” 

The project demonstrates the priceless contribution volunteers make on a regular basis at the Hospice, which provides vital palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses across Birmingham and Sandwell. 

The cards are signed and sent out to families by dedicated Bereavement service volunteer Margaret Niblett, who also helps out at the Hospice’s Weoley Castle shop and in the Catering department. 

Both Roger and Margaret have been volunteering at Birmingham St Mary’s for more than 10 years. 

Roger, a retired engineer with British Telecom, said: “I had always been interested in art but never pursued it due to work commitments. But when I retired I decided that I would give it a go. Not long after, I was asked if I would like to volunteer at the Hospice and start an art group, which has grown and developed to what it is today.” 

Margaret said: “The standard of work being produced in Roger’s art class is superb, so it was very difficult for me to choose the designs. But nonetheless it is very exciting to be involved with such a project and goes to show the kinds of wonderful opportunities volunteering throws up.”

Voluntary Services Manager Sharon Harkin thanked everyone who gave up their spare time to help the Hospice. 

She said: “Many people choose to help Birmingham St Mary’s through fundraising, but we also benefit from the loyal support we get from volunteers. They perform a wide variety of roles from administration, driving and gardening, to running therapeutic sessions such as Roger’s art class or manning reception or the tills in our shops. We also have 14 volunteers in the bereavement service itself, who provide much needed emotional support and counselling.” 

“Quite simply our volunteers are marvellous and essential to everything we do.” 

Since its launch in 1979, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice has cared for tens of thousands of people with life-limiting illnesses.  

And with more than 50 percent of the Hospice’s budget reliant on public goodwill, community fundraising is crucial to ensuring its highly specialised services can continue to be offered to the people of Birmingham and Sandwell. 

In addition to a 25-bed Inpatient unit, Birmingham St Mary’s boasts a 20-place Day Hospice and provides community care to people who wish to stay in their own homes.  

The Hospice, whose running costs stand at £6.3 million a year, also supports relatives with bereavement preparation, physiotherapy tuition and counselling in addition to many other services.  

Its nurses, often referred to by patients and relatives as ‘angels’, are renowned for going that extra mile to ensure people with terminal illnesses enjoy the best possible quality of life. 

For more information about Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice go to: www.bsmh.org.uk, or telephone 0121 4721191.