'Art therapy workshops have allowed me to be me'

A teenage artist has said art therapy workshops helped them to "be me" after their work went on display at the Houses of Parliament.

Works from artists supported by Surrey and Borders Partnsership NHS Foundation Trust have gone on display in the House of Commons as part of an exhibition themed around "knowing yourself and growing yourself".

The artwork was created as part of the Sexual Trauma: Assessment, Recovery and Support (Stars) group and New Leaf, which supports people who are adopted, in care or under special guardianship.

The 14-year-old artist, from Epsom, said: "My life has changed because before I wasn't very open and I was quite shy."

They added: "I'm more open and talkative than before. I can be me now.

"I was very shocked and surprised. I'm extremely proud."

The art workshops, run by mental health service provider Mindworks, allow people supported by the service to express themselves creatively.

The artist - who said they went to the workshops once a week - said their work was based on the film Wicked: For Good, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Epsom MP Helen Maguire opened the exhibition in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Rebecca Robertson, a specialist mental health and art therapist with Stars, said: "Art making can provide an important alternative to more traditional verbal therapies and can be a vital part of helping young people to engage in support, particularly when working with trauma.

"The 'Know Yourself, Grow Yourself' exhibition gives children and young people under our Stars and New Leaf services the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings around their life experiences using art materials. "

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