The Hospice of St Francis unveiled a special animation film on Wednesday 5th July featuring more than 100 soaps beautifully carved by patients, carers and volunteers throughout the year.
The film is part of the Hospice’s annual Art Bag project, now in its second year, which it runs in partnership with Peace Hospice Care and Macmillan Cancer Support.
This year’s Art Bags contained a bar of soap and all the materials needed for carving so participants could create anything that represented how they were feeling. The results included flowers, faces, animals, buildings and many different shapes.
The poignant film, which has been created with the help of animator Kim Noce, features over 100 soap carvings that have been created by people affected by life-limiting illness, connected to the Hospice.
A documentary film was screened alongside the animation, which explores the experiences of participants and shares the sense of wellbeing that has been generated through taking part in this creative activity.
Annalie Ashwell, Macmillan Wellbeing and Therapeutic Coordinator, said: “The idea behind this year’s Art Bag project was to give patients and their loved ones the opportunity to carve out a space and time for themselves.
“The simple act of taking some time to focus on a creative activity can help to promote wellbeing and relaxation and build resilience when coping with a serious illness. It provides a way for people to express themselves, as well as giving carvers and carers, personal artwork to cherish.”
Samantha Owen, who became involved in the Art Bag project following treatment for breast cancer, said: “For me, this project has been an opportunity to get out there any try life again.
“Being involved in a project with people who were going through a similar situation was really reassuring and hopefully it will help other people at the beginning of their diagnosis realise that there is help out there and that it comes in many different forms.”
For more information about the Hospice’s creative therapies visit www.stfrancis.org.uk