New Arts and Crafts group improves fine motor skills and reduces social isolation

Our Therapies team have recently launched a new Arts and Crafts group, providing those we care for with the chance to connect with others in a relaxed, calming, and creative environment. 

Delivered by our Occupational Therapy team the Arts and Crafts programme is a spin-off from our Active Rest sessions and aims to improve dexterity and fine motor skills, whilst helping to reduce social isolation. 

Sessions are held every Monday from 1.30pm to 2.30pm in our Wellbeing Centre. Attendees enjoy activities including mindfulness colouring, collage creating, rock painting, and origami. 

Beth Wotton, our Therapy Technician who runs the weekly sessions, said: 

“Our Arts and Crafts class focuses on relaxation, peer support, fine motor skills, and so much more. Having just finished the first 12-week programme, I’ve had positive and constructive feedback from those who’ve attended so I know what activities to continue with and which ones to change next time around. 

Attendees have told me the class gives them a sense of purpose, that they benefit from the social aspect, and enjoy just being peaceful and listening to  music whilst completing their craft. 

“Everyone loves seeing their creations put up in the display board in the Wellbeing Centre – it turns into a little game of “spot your own artwork”. 

Janet attends our Arts and Crafts classes. She said: 

“Before I started coming to St Catherine’s, I hadn’t left the house in six months. Two St Catherine’s nurses visited me at home and asked if I might be interested in attending some of the hospice classes. I said, “Sign me up for everything!”. I do Arts and Crafts on a Monday and Seated Exercise on a Thursday, and I’m doing a lot better. 

“I’ve been coming to Arts and Crafts for six weeks now and I’ve really enjoyed it. We’ve done lots of activities, including origami which I’ve never done before. But my favourites have been rock painting and upcycling glass jars. We were given sequins, tissue paper, and wooden shapes to stick onto our jar however we wanted. I use the jar to keep my loose change in at home. I really enjoy the social aspect of the sessions too; everyone is so lovely.” 

Elaine also benefits from the classes. She said: 

“I find the sessions really relaxing. My favourite activity so far has been the rock painting. I decorated my rocks with flowers and beautiful abstract patterns. My daughter, Karen, has bought some varnish so we can coat the rocks and put them in my garden at home. The other people who come to the classes are really friendly and the crafts we take away at the end of each session are a nice memory for us to keep.” 

Karen, Elaine’s daughter, said: 

“The Arts and Crafts classes have given Mum the opportunity to try new things that she wouldn’t have done before, and she really enjoys coming. It’s encouraged her to do more at home too; we’ve even bought some new colouring pencils! Mum has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which has forced her to slow down and spend her time differently. The activities here mean Mum is gently exercising without realising; it’s also helped improve the dexterity in her fingers.  

“Carers and spouses can talk and connect whilst we wait for the session to finish. The other people in the class have similar conditions to my mum, so we understand what each other are going through and can share information and advice.” 

Attendance on our Arts and Crafts programme is by referral only. Please speak with your care team or email stch.wellbeing@nhs.net to discuss your suitability for these sessions. 

Take a look at our Wellbeing Calendar for more information on the other classes we run at St Catherine’s.