May 2026 Newsletter

We are feeling full of the joys of Spring at PATV 🌷

We have just received £500 from the Mayor of Romsey Charity fund! Hooray! ❤️❤️❤️. This will pay for the costs of materials, venue rental and refreshments for the coming term 😍😍😍

Our follow on class was full to the brim for or first session of the season and we are delighted to welcome two new volunteers Hazel and Kelvin to join our wonderful team,

It is so heartening to see how much pleasure our participants get from the sessions and we are looking forward to the programme of events planned for the forthcoming term.

This is an extract from a recent participant’s feedback

“I was prescribed the class as part of a programme of behavioural activation and socialisation following a depressive/anxiety episode in January 2026.

The onboarding process was efficient, empathetic and welcoming. Any reservations about meeting new people were quickly dispelled by the open approach of the voluntary team. They created a safe space and I felt after one session that this was a good step forward.

Throughout the course, this approach continued and the social side of meeting was an important step forward. The non-judgemental approach to the art activities was a significant contribution. Bearing in mind that I have not lifted a pencil or paintbrush in an art room in over 40 years this was a real revelation and helped with my confidence.

The impact has been positive. Not only did the social activation help me overcome isolation, but learning to sketch again has provided a further tool to anxiety management and returning to the moment rather than rumination. It has proven itself to be a positive therapeutic approach at times of distress rather than more negative forms of attempted self-medicaton

Acknowledging that the scheme relies on volunteers and the shortage of therapies for people with mental wellbeing problems, the single biggest change would be to offer more opportunities for people to participate. 6 weeks is a start, but I would welcome a longer period of guided activity. The actual programme is great and I would not suggest any changes other than more, more, more!”

If you know of anyone who would benefit from exploring their creativity to help with the pressures of life please contact me at info@prescriptionarttestvalley.org. We can let you know how you can join us to improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Jill Wilson

May 2026