“The Arts and art psychotherapy can play an important role in a person’s wellbeing and the healing process” Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, Huw Lewis.
The Minister was visiting Heddfan unit which provides treatment for adults with mental health issues at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, to hear about Art Therapy practice, see an art workshop for older persons in action and meet with staff and service users.
The work at Heddfan provides art psychotherapy as part of therapeutic treatment offered and, via the health boards Arts in Health & Wellbeing programme, is working in partnership with Engage Cymru, which brings access to Galleries and Museums into a hospital setting.
It receives funding via Arts Council for Wales and other charitable funds. The use of art, music, drama and other therapy can improve patients’ well-being by reducing stress levels and boosting self-confidence.
During the visit the Minister also met Elizabeth Aylett, Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board’s Head of Arts Therapies and who was recently awarded the Welsh Government’s Recognising Achievement Award for her work.
The Minister said:
"Art can have a positive affect on people who are in a healthcare setting, and provides another way for people to express themselves. It is interesting to see how art can help with stress levels and dealing with illness generally. It was very interesting to see the creative work being done at Wrexham Maelor."
Elizabeth Aylett said:
"It was wonderful to welcome Minister Lewis to the unit today, for him to see at first hand some of the innovative and important work being done.
"Whilst providing art and music therapy services at the health board, achieving engagement with our service users and collaborating with Engage Cymru, Wrexham and Denbighshire County Borough Councils, Arts Council for Wales and arts practitioners is most rewarding and makes this wider arts portfolio of work possible.
"It is serving as an exemplar of good practice within Wales and I appreciate the opportunity to be involved in these initiatives locally, offering benefit to those who experience mental ill health toward a healthy recovery ".