A WOMEN’s cancer charity and a creative arts-based charity are collaborating to bring art therapy to cancer patients.

GO Girls, who support women with gynaecological cancers, have teamed up with the Purbeck Workshop to bring a series of art workshops to support women with gynaecological cancers and others coping with or recovering from cancer.

It has long been known that art therapy and access to complementary therapies have been shown to have an impact on pain, fatigue and anxiety. Hilary Maxwell, Chair of GO Girls said: “Those three little words “you have cancer” can cause immense anxiety for both patients and their families. Coping with such tough news can impact significantly on mental health. Art therapies offer a great way to cope with diagnosis, through treatment and on to recovery.”

Recently the GO Girls have been learning screen printing to create a set of images to be displayed as part of the Purbeck’s Workshop’s forthcoming “Flight of Fancy” exhibition.

Sinead Feeney who has continued to lead the Purbeck Workshop which was founded by her late husband, Paul, who sadly passed away from cancer added: “We love working with the GO Girls. We’ve been working closely for a few years now and we are always guaranteed much therapeutic laughter when the GO Girls join us – after all, don’t they say, laughter is the best medicine.”

Sarah Bishop, who joined the class, said “I can’t wait for the next workshop. We will be painting planters next and it will be good to explore more art techniques and our creativity. Time certainly flies by when you’re having fun”.

GO Girls will be at the next workshop on Tuesday, April 16 from 7pm to 9pm.

For more details visit www.gogirlssupport.org or www.purbeckworkshop.org