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Over the time I’ve run the art group I’ve listened to the residents talk about their lives, their childhood memories, and the life they have had. The residents have suffered from terrible amounts of trauma and have addictions. It would of be so easy to just feel sorry about their lives or just say ‘that’s life, get on with it'

But the residents told me so many interesting stories about their lives. Some good memories that brought a smile to their faces or sad, traumatic events that they had to live through and survived. Repeatedly residents said they wanted their stories recorded. The residents also wanted to share their stories.

The artwork, Journey of Life, gave the residents a ‘timeline’ for their story and where it fitted into their lives.

Over a long time, I chatted with different residents and they told me their stories. Then they chose where they would like it to be on the canvas. Bottom right being the start of their journey of homelessness / addiction / trauma / the darkest time in their lives.

The art has helped each resident to express themselves in a visual way and take ownership and pride over their lives. The art has also created a feeling of shared community.

A resident who has had a major stroke and is paralysed down one side would come into the art room and sit and watch and have a cup of tea. He really enjoyed watching what was happening. One day I asked if he would like to make a painting. His reply was, ‘I’m paralysed, there’s no way I can paint anything.'

I had a think about this, as I believe everyone can make art. I painted a canvas with bright colours then placed a bead string over the canvas. The resident took hold of the end of the beads and slowly pulled the beads, as I turned the canvas.

This created a swirl of colours in an amazing pattern. Then he sprinkled some crystals over the picture. The resident was over the moon with his artwork and has gone on the make other art pieces in different mediums.