The art and crafts group with a difference

AS nine amateur artists huddle around a small table with paints and canvases strewn across the room, it could be the scene of any run-of-the-mill art group in any town or village in the country.

But the Doorways Arts and Crafts group is far from run-of-the-mill - all its members have mental health problems and the weekly meeting place is a former public toilet in Hanworth Road, Feltham.

The members come from all sections of the community and are aged from 18 to 80 but all have one thing in common: they were referred by doctors, counsellors or therapists.
And while all the group swear by the effectiveness of this unusual form of therapy, the charity faces a constant struggle for survival as it battles for funds.

Brian Edwards, who works at the poppy factory in Richmond, is on a 20 week anger management course and, as he carefully works on his painting of the Taj Mahal, he claims painting has done more to help him relax than anything else.

"I had never done painting before but I do a lot of things with my hands so I thought I would give it a try," the 42-year-old says. "It's as relaxed as I get when I'm here. It has really helped me."

Along with a grant from Hounslow Council, the bulk of funding for Doorways comes from selling work the artists produce. They have paintings on display at Starbucks in Chiswick and Hounslow and in Feltham Centre for Health and are currently producing a calender for 2010.

Elizabeth Merrick, who is only attending her fifth session, has been battling mental health problems for more than 10 years.

She said: "It's good to be able to get out and about and do something constructive. I find it very difficult to interact with people but here we all support each other. It's nice not having to explain yourself to everyone because we are all in the same boat."

The sessions - which take place every Thursday and Friday - are run by Rosie Langdale-King an Montania Saah.

Rosie said: "I think art is such a wonderful thing because when people are suffering emotionally they are very inward-looking and what art does is get them to focus on something outside themselves.

"Not only are they learning a new skill but it gives them a focus in their life."

Doorways is holding a fundraising pamper day at Christ Church in Hanworth Road on Saturday December from 11am to 5pm. Treatments cost £8 and can be booked in advance by calling 07949 581458.