'Drawing for People with Aphasia' is a monthly workshop for observational drawing (and sometimes painting and printmaking too) for people with aphasia. Aphasia is the loss of language after a stroke or brain injury. There are also people with other neurological or mental health difficulties who attend the group.

The group is run on a voluntary basis by speech and language therapist and artist Cat Andrew. The group receives no funds or grants and is entirely reliant on donations.

Things people have said about what coming to the group means to them:

“I find this group very positive and uplifting in many ways. Everyone benefits enormously from this socially...my own personal experience is like an awakening”

“It’s a focal point of my life. I don’t go out or socialise apart from this”

“Because of the group I want to go on and study art further - I have kept what I’ve done here for a portfolio”

“Being in the group builds confidence I feel able to takl more easily here knowing that everyone has the time and patience”

I never thought I’d do drawing - I’d never set foot in a museum or gallery before the group”

“It gets us out of the house - we’re not stuck in isolation”

“Since having a stroke, I keep a busy schedule with a lot of speech therapy and excerise classes. While these are beneficial to me, at times it’s overwhelming. Since starting art classes, I’ve found a way to keep calm and enjoy my time - I’m incredibly grateful. I wish we could have more than one class a month!”

“I’ve been coming since 2013 and as a result my reading and concentration have improved tremendously because of drawing”

“When we go out in the world we can talk about our drawing class - it gives us something to talk about. We have a laugh here, it’s fun - when you’ve had a stroke there’s not a lot that’s funny”

“I go to more exhibitions now as we started going as a group - and when I’m at home I feel like drawing”

“When you have difficulties with communication art is an inspiration - a huge arena opened up”

“When I was fighting housing and benefits issues I was able to argue because I got the confidence and courage here”

“There’s little enough for disabled people now”

“Having tea and chatting with the group is lovely!”