Press release -
Unique art work by St Helens stroke survivors exhibited at The World of Glass
An inspirational piece of art created by stroke survivors from St Helens will be displayed at The World of Glass on Chalon Way East, from Thursday 11 June to 25 June.
The unique art work was designed and created by stroke survivors from St Helens who have been supported by the Stroke Association’s Communication Support service.
Developed with support from local artist Hannah Bold, the jigsaw design depicts stroke survivors’ interests and experiences after stroke. The piece aims to show that after a stroke some things may be more difficult to do or understand, conveyed through the jigsaw pieces not piecing perfectly together.
During the project, stroke survivors decorated large jigsaw pieces using a variety of materials, including seeds, paper and paint, to create their own piece of the jigsaw.
One stroke survivor from Newton le Willows, Joe Kilmartin, made a jigsaw but found all his pieces didn’t fit together. He explained this is line with how he feels after his stroke: “All the pieces may be there but they don't quite fit together. Words may not always come out right and your body doesn’t always do want you want it to.”
Jean Hobbs, Communication Support Coordinator at the Stroke Association in St Helens, said: “The art project has given the group the chance to demonstrate the powerful way art helps people to express themselves, while also encouraging social interaction and helping to build confidence.We see overwhelming courage in many stroke survivors as they cope with the loss of many things we take for granted, such as being able to say what we are feeling, and the project has enabled them to communicate in new ways.”
The Stroke Association provides an Information, Advice and Support Service and Communication Support Service in Knowsley and St Helens, in partnership with St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group and Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group.
For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.
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A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. There are around 152,000 strokes in the UK every year and it is the leading cause of severe adult disability. There are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.
Stroke Association is a charity. We believe in life after stroke and together we can conquer stroke. We work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. We campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can. We fund research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk
