'Art gives me hope' - how the simple pleasure of colouring in helps our women relax and chat

Some examples of the women's artistry.

Some of the women who turn to us for support are enjoying a new activity we've come up with to help them relax while they are with us - colouring in.

Helen Sharp, our fundraising, events and PR manager drew on her counselling experience to come up with the idea because, believing this simple form of art would help the women leave behind the stresses and strains of life outside our building.

Helen bought felt-tip pens and colouring pencils, printed out a selection of designs and left them in the communal kitchen where women gather for a bite to eat and a chat with our staff and other visitors.

The women took to colouring in those designs with great enthusiasm and their efforts are now on display on the kitchen walls.

One of them told us: "I believe any art form has the power and potential to help us out of our troubles.

"For me, art gives me hope. It is this which has enabled me to survive and grow.

"Colouring in presents no expectations for artistic ability. We can heal with just the power of colour. Whether doodling or colouring, we can use this as a release of our emotions.

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'Art gives me hope', one of the women told us.

"I go to a group on Wednesday afternoons at the Attenborough Arts Centre. It is called Bright Sparks and we are a group with a vast range of artistic experience.

"Here too, there is no pressure and no expectations - just the coming together of people and the support which art offers us."

Another of the women said: "When I see an empty colouring sheet I like to fill in the empty spaces with different colours as a means of self-expression.

"I find it relaxing and decide which colours I want and choose to use."

Helen explained: "We've found that the women really enjoy this activity. It's very calming and it seems to help people talk."

The New Futures Project offers a comprehensive welfare and counselling service for women and young people dealing with sexual abuse or exploitation, domestic violence, trafficking, poverty and debt, substance use or mental ill-health.

Call us on 0116 251 0803 or send us a message at: info@new-futures.org.uk

You can find us at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.