Jess is a Cygnet Health Care service user, supported on Acorn Ward, a PICU service for women with mental health needs at Cygnet Hospital Woking.
She recently won a national art competition hosted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych).
The competition saw patients and carers from forensic, PICU and prison mental health services display their creativity and artistic talent in a bid to feature in future RCPsych publications.
Jess took home joint first place in the Quality Network for Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (QNPICU) category for her entry titled ‘Abstract Man’.
Jess reflected on her success: “I felt proud when it happened. Art is a hobby and a coping skill. Painting while on a PICU helps me recover as it is a good distraction.
“It is also a business for me as I have sold some of my paintings and copies. I will always continue to make art in my life.”
Created with acrylic paint, the Cygnet Health Care service user’s artwork was inspired by the well-known fashion magazine Vogue.
Jess explained, “I think Vogue is a really cool magazine, and I got the idea of what to paint from a few pictures in it.”
Courtney Greene, Head of Occupational Therapy at Cygnet Hospital Woking, praised Jess for her win.
She said: “We are incredibly proud of Jess for winning the QNPICU competition. Art has been a meaningful occupation for her during her time with us at Cygnet Hospital Woking, providing a valuable outlet for creativity, self-expression, and wellbeing. This achievement is a wonderful recognition of her talent, dedication, and hard work.
“We know that art is also a vocational pathway that Jess hopes to continue pursuing in the future, and we are delighted to see her succeed. Congratulations, Jess, on this well-deserved accomplishment from all of us at Cygnet Health Care.”