Kate Mansbridge with notelets

Patient artistic talent provides a lasting legacy for Hospice

This in from the Hospice, in their own words. Ed


Paintings created in regular workshops at the hospice’s John Cheverton Centre as part of its holistic approach to patient care have been turned into notelets that are now on sale in hospice shops.

All money raised from the sale of the notelets will go towards supporting patient care at the hospice, but the art project is not simply about fundraising. In some cases the art workshops, led by diversional therapies co-ordinator Kate Mansbridge, unlocked untapped talent among patients, as well introducing them to a new activity in the last years of their lives.

EMH retail fundraiser Kath Bright said,

“It was originally intended that the paintings would be there for the artists’ families as a reminder of their loved ones and their achievements in life.

“It soon became clear though that much of the artwork being produced was of a really high quality, and when visitors started enquiring about buying them, we decided that we should produce them as notelets.

“As well as sharing the magnificent art produced here, the notelets mean we can also raise money to help provide patient care.”

Of around 200 creations, ten paintings by five patients-turned-artists have been turned into notelets. They are Avocet by Mike McLaughlin, Yellow Tulips, Poppies, and Passion Flower by Shirley Anderson, The Potting Shed, Round Bales, Cowes Week and Beach, Boats, Cliffs by Valerie Richards, Chimp by Hilary Kearsley and Beach Posts by Ken McBride.

Kate Mansbridge added:

“At a time when life is so difficult, patients coming to the Hospice have gained great pleasure and benefit from discovering that they have a talent for art.”

The notelets are priced at £2.50 for a pack of five.

Picture shows Kate Mansbridge, diversional therapy co-ordinator at Earl Mountbatten Hospice with two notelet designs and the original artwork.