A popular crafting hobby is helping people being treated for mental health conditions to calm negative thoughts and reduce stress.
Diamond art kits are popular with patients on Ardleigh ward at The Lakes mental health unit in Colchester, which is run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
Diamond art is similar to painting by numbers but uses coloured beads and wax to create mosaic-style pictures.
Katie and Rachel took up the hobby when they were admitted to the ward for treatment about three months ago and said it has made a huge difference to their wellbeing.
Katie, who makes pictures for herself and as gifts for her family and friends, said: “It’s so calming. It’s quite addictive. You can just zone out and if you’ve got your headphones on it’s like you’re in a different room.
“It’s really helped me, it’s the only thing that distracts me from negative thoughts.
“It’s been a bit of a lifesaver.”
As well as giving patients a chance to have quiet time to themselves, crafting also gives them a way to bond with each other and the ward staff.
Rachel said: “It’s like mindfulness. We can chat a little bit, do a little bit of diamond art, and there’s no awkward silences. Other people, including the staff, join in.
“Staff come and sit with us and because we’re not having a direct face-to-face chat, it’s a really good way of opening up communication.
“It’s difficult to talk to someone face-to-face because it can be intimidating and people can struggle to open up. When you’re doing diamond art and chatting it puts you in a different zone.”
Katie said crafting also helps patients get to know each other better so they can support each other.
“When you’re sitting here doing diamond art you get to know people quickly, you can get to know someone’s behaviours and prevent incidents sometimes happening,” she said.
Katie and Rachel said kits and equipment are not expensive, so it’s an affordable hobby.
Diamond art is among the therapeutic activities patients are supported and encouraged to take part in to complement medical and psychological treatments and therapies.
As well as being encouraged to continue or learn new hobbies, patients receiving care on EPUT’s mental health inpatient wards are offered a range of activities, including art, music, sport and exercise, games, and aromatherapy.
The Trust is broadening the range of activities, therapies and support available as part of a wider focus on personalised therapeutic care to ensure patients receive the right care for their individual needs.
To support the delivery of this new model of care, the Trust has recruited more than 300 additional staff to its inpatient wards, including activity coordinators, peer workers, and nurses.
Lianne Joyce and Katy Stafford, Deputy Directors of Quality and Safety for the Trust’s Inpatient and Urgent Care Unit, said: “Therapeutic activity as part of a person’s care is an essential part of their recovery journey.
“We are always keen to promote patients being able to voice the types of activity that is helpful during their time in hospital.
“The artwork has brought some wonderful personalisation and warmth to our ward environments and we continue to enjoy seeing their artwork during our time on the wards with patients.”