PEOPLE living with cancer are being encouraged to deal with the emotional toll by expressing themselves through creative activities.
Tameside’s Macmillan Unit has launched an arts and crafts class that can encourage self-expression and foster a sense of connection between local people who share similar experiences.
Participants will also have access to resources, information and additional support services, as well as come away with new coping methods for difficult times.
Class activities in the sessions – which are run by experienced art therapy facilitators – include acrylic and watercolour painting, collage making, crafting with natural materials such as leaves and flowers, as well as mindfulness and art journaling.
Sharon is one participant who has found art therapy to be beneficial for her mental health and wellbeing.
She had previously been to another art therapy class in Dukinfield and when she heard about the sessions starting up at the Tameside Macmillan Unit, on Fountain Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, she decided to jump back in.
“I find it really therapeutic, relaxing,” she said. “It’s been nice to meet other people going through the same thing.”
Another participant, Emma, has found art therapy to be a good opportunity to revisit creative hobbies that had fallen by the wayside.
“I used to do bits of art on and off when there was time, but I hadn’t done anything for a while,” she explained.
“I wanted to have that space to do something creative and really focus on how we’re feeling.”
Classes are free and open to anyone who is living with or recovering from cancer, as well as carers and family members of people with cancer.
No previous arts and crafts experience is required to take part.
The next session takes place on Friday, January 23 from 1pm until 3pm at the Tameside Macmillan Unit, on Fountain Street in Ashton-under-Lyne.
To take part, please register online on the Tameside Macmillan Unit website.