VISITORS to Chepstow Hospital will have noticed a splash of colour in some corridors of late, thanks to a community art group.

The music painting group, led by artist Shaun Ray, meets once a week at Chepstow Community Hospital for people suffering from early-onset dementia.

Running for just over a year, the group was originally dreamt up by lead occupational therapists (OT) Sarah Moorecroft, OT support Claire Francis, and OT technician Michelle Palfrey, who reached out to former teacher Shaun for his help running the sessions.

He said: “We wanted to start something for the community, and it has become something they’ve fallen in love with.

“Our artists look at their paintings and it creates feelings. This is about giving these people a gift. As everything else breaks down around them, they can have something that stays with them.

“Music does stay with people, it connects memories and helps get that person back, even if that’s just for a minute or a second.”

54-year old Shaun from Newport said he promotes a ‘can-do’ situation for the group’s members, with the painters meeting new friends and learning new skills to help them express themselves.

He continued: “We use music, abstract painting and colour to create wellbeing.

“These patients can’t draw the real world, but they can relive their creativity in a new sense as they aren’t restricted by form or rules.

“Abstract has an amazing power to give them a few hours of mediative release and enjoyment.”

The team is hoping to roll out the success of the scheme with a second group, looking to open at Severn View Residential Home soon.

Participants for the group are referred by their OT after diagnosis with early onset dementia.

Beneficiaries paint for gifts for grandchildren and family members, to keep at home, or even to display and sell in the hospital. Admirers of the work wishing to purchase a painting are asked simply to decide on how much they wish to pay, and ask at reception for an envelope to put the amount in. The money collected will buy materials for the group.

One painter, Valerie, said: “It’s lovely, I really enjoy it. It’s exciting having a whole mixture of people painting things together, yet separately. Especially when the sun shines.”

Fellow painter Margaret added: “The group is very, very therapeutic. It is beautiful to come here and see people enjoying themselves and producing wonderful work.”

• The group’s success is happening at a time when mental health resources are being stretched and centralised. News of the possible move of Chepstow Hospital’s dementia ward to St Woolos Hospital in Newport was broken by the Chepstow Beacon on 4th October. Public consolations for Monmouthshire units are going on this week, with consultations continuing across the health board until 26th January.