A Creative Day of Connection at the Regional Cancer Hospital

Blog by Simone McLees

Last Thursday, Mel and I had the absolute privilege of spending the day at the Regional Cancer Hospital alongside a beautiful group of women who gather each month for creativity, conversation, and connection. This art group, held on the second Thursday each month is something I have started to explore as I finish up my studies as an Art Therapy student. On these Thursdays, I spend the morning with the Women’s Wellness Art Group, providing a gentle and welcoming space for women who are currently undergoing cancer treatment, are in remission, or are supporting loved ones as carers.

The group is more than just an art session. It's a pocket of time set aside for nurturing creativity, emotional expression, and shared experience. Each month, these lovely ladies dive into different kinds of artmaking: card crafting, embossing, colouring, and painting – all chosen to be engaging, calming, and easy to adapt to personal energy levels. The focus isn’t on perfect technique or finished products; it’s about the process, the joy of making something, and the conversations that unfold in the moments in between.

This month, Mel joined me for a creative session of painting ceramic trinket trays. It was a joy to witness the diverse ways each person approached their artwork. Some came in with clear ideas and colour palettes in mind, a plan for how they wanted their trays to look. Others picked up the brush and let the process lead them, embracing spontaneity and allowing colours and shapes to form organically.

Art has such a unique way of creating connection. Even without talking about the harder things – treatment schedules, fatigue, the emotional weight of caregiving – the group communicates deeply through colour, gesture, and presence. Each painted trinket tray was not just a functional object but a symbol of strength, personality, and care.

We ended the session the way they always do – with light lunch and tea. After a few hours of creativity, it’s a time to sit back, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed and familiar way.

This Women’s Wellness Art Group is a reminder of the healing potential of community-based art. It’s not about fixing or solving – it’s about being present, offering colour and creativity where words sometimes fall short, and finding beauty even during difficult seasons. For me, this place holds a deep personal resonance. I spent a few years in and out of this very hospital while supporting my mum through her cancer journey, so returning now as a volunteer with the Trust Fund and working alongside the wellness team it feels like a full-circle moment. It’s incredibly meaningful to be able to give something back to a space that once held so much emotion for me. Being part of this group, even for a day, reaffirms how powerful connection, creativity, and community can be in navigating life’s most challenging moments.

Thank you to the women who welcomed us so openly, we look forward to seeing the continued impact of this group!