The Team

Jill Wilson, Trustee

Jill trained as a nurse and has spent most of her life, when she was not bringing up small children, in health care administration. Jill joined the Rum’s Eg Singers and enjoyed singing in a choir so much, she suggested that singing was so good for you it should be available on prescription. A year later, with the help of a wonderful team, enough money had been raised to run art and singing classes for Romsey patients.

Jill says, "It has been very rewarding seeing people really benefitting from these sessions and hope that we can continue to help more people as our service expands and becomes more well known".

Peter White, Trustee

Peter is a retired GP who worked in Romsey for 33 years. He is a firm believer in lifestyle and its effect on health. A lifetime interest in the arts together with review of the medical evidence has convinced him that for certain patients the intervention of social prescribing and Prescription Art may be as if not more beneficial than medication, although both can complement each other.

Judith Giles. Trustee

We welcome Judith Giles who is joining us a Trustee and volunteer and has replaced Lindsay Parson who has stepped down in his role of Trustee but will be continuing his sterling work as a volunteer Judith was Chief Officer/Town Clerk at Romsey Town Council for twenty years. She worked closely with many community groups, organising events in the town and raising funds for different projects including Romsey Christmas lights ensuring their continuation in the town. Judith is passionate about wellbeing and helping individuals.

Sue Veck, Facilitator

Sue previously spent 8 years helping to run the National Trust's art gallery at Mottisfont, which rekindled her interest in the practice of arts and crafts.

Sue finds that art really helps with her mental health and in 2019 she joined Prescription Art as a volunteer. She has completed a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, which has developed her passion for collage and now, as a facilitator, she really enjoys helping others find the joy in the mindful practice of making and creating.

Susie Boote, Facilitator

I worked for over 40 years in the NHS, both as a nurse and a midwife. The greatest pleasure during these years was being able to help, support and interact with people - patients, their families and my colleagues.

Since retirement I have become involved in many different hobbies and activities, including making jewellery - the combination of colours and materials is a constant source of inspiration.

I look forward to sharing the fun of creativity as a facilitator with Prescription Art

Fiona Mackie, Facilitator

Fiona has been teaching and working in the arts and education for over 30 years. She currently leads a textile Crafts for Wellbeing group for Jane Scarth House in Romsey and family art for Wildern School, as well as running community arts classes in the New Forest, always with the aim of helping others to access their own creative and artistic skills and to enjoy the benefits of making and creating. She is a strong believer in the positive effects any creative activity can have a persons wellbeing whether it’s through painting, drawing, needlework or any other craft.

Volunteers

Prescription Art Test Valley would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers and the Trustees would like to express their appreciation to the volunteers who work so hard to make everything work so well.

Never forgetting Alan Matthews, former trustee. Alan was always an invaluable source of wisdom and support. RIP