A popular crafting hobby is providing significant therapeutic benefits for individuals undergoing treatment for mental health conditions at a specialist unit in Essex. Diamond art, a mosaic-style activity using coloured beads and wax, is helping patients to calm negative thoughts and reduce stress levels during their recovery journey.
Creative Calm on Ardleigh Ward
Diamond art kits have become particularly popular with patients on Ardleigh ward at The Lakes mental health unit in Colchester. This facility is operated by the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, known as EPUT. The activity, which shares similarities with painting by numbers but uses tactile materials to create vibrant pictures, is offering patients a valuable tool for managing their wellbeing.
Patient Experiences with Therapeutic Crafting
Katie and Rachel, two patients who began diamond art approximately three months ago when admitted to the ward, report that the hobby has made a substantial difference to their mental health. Katie, who creates pictures both for personal enjoyment and as gifts for family and friends, described the activity as profoundly calming and somewhat addictive.
"It's so calming. You can just zone out, and if you've got your headphones on, it's like you're in a different room," Katie explained. "It's really helped me; it's the only thing that distracts me from negative thoughts. It's been a bit of a lifesaver."
Beyond providing quiet, personal time, the crafting sessions have fostered improved social connections. Patients bond with each other and ward staff in a relaxed environment. Rachel highlighted how the activity facilitates communication without pressure.
"It's like mindfulness. We can chat a little bit, do a little bit of diamond art, and there's no awkward silences," Rachel said. "Staff come and sit with us, and because we're not having a direct face-to-face chat, it's a really good way of opening up communication. When you're doing diamond art and chatting, it puts you in a different zone."
Building Support Networks Through Shared Activity
Katie noted that the shared crafting experience helps patients understand each other better, enabling mutual support. "When you're sitting here doing diamond art, you get to know people quickly, you can get to know someone's behaviours and prevent incidents sometimes happening," she observed. Both patients emphasised that the kits and required equipment are affordable, making diamond art an accessible hobby for those in treatment.
Integrating Therapeutic Activities into Care
Diamond art forms part of a broader programme of therapeutic activities that patients are supported and encouraged to participate in. These activities complement medical and psychological treatments and therapies provided by EPUT. The trust offers a diverse range of options on its mental health inpatient wards, including art, music, sport and exercise, games, and aromatherapy.
Personalised Therapeutic Care Approach
EPUT is actively broadening the variety of activities, therapies, and support available as part of a renewed focus on personalised therapeutic care. This initiative aims to ensure each patient receives care tailored to their individual needs. To support this enhanced model of care delivery, the trust has recruited over 300 additional staff members for its inpatient wards. These new roles include activity coordinators, peer workers, and nurses dedicated to facilitating therapeutic engagement.
Lianne Joyce and Katy Stafford, deputy directors of quality and safety for the trust's Inpatient and Urgent Care Unit, commented on the importance of these activities. "Therapeutic activity as part of a person's care is an essential part of their recovery journey. We are always keen to promote patients being able to voice the types of activity that is helpful during their time in hospital," they stated.
They added, "The artwork has brought some wonderful personalisation and warmth to our ward environments, and we continue to enjoy seeing their artwork during our time on the wards with patients."
The integration of creative practices like diamond art into mental health treatment at The Lakes unit demonstrates a holistic approach to recovery, prioritising both clinical treatment and meaningful, patient-led therapeutic engagement.
