Colour to care: Hospice launches colouring and activity books to help ease anxiety and raise vital funds

St Clare Hospice in Essex has partnered with local artists, illustrators and tattooists to launch two colouring-in and activity books aiming to ease people’s anxiety while the Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing.

The Colour to Care books have puzzles, quizzes and artwork for both children and adults, and are intended to be calming activities for people to fill in the time whilst staying at home. They also include rainbow templates to colour and display in windows, to recognise the frontline workers providing essential services.

“We’re delighted to have the support of so many talented local people to create this unique resource,” says Dani De’ath, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at St Clare. “Ten talented people donated their time towards creating artwork for the books – which together, contain 26 stunning original illustrations for you to colour in – 21 of which feature exclusively in the colouring book. From unicorns and moons, to butterflies and our very own Clare Bear – there’s something for every age. Many thanks to the artists who contributed – Liz Smith, Claire Brace, Gem Pang, Alice Jacobs, Isabelle Ellen, Chris Hatch, Elizabeth Florence, Annie Long, Lydia, and Millie.”

Dani adds, “As you can see, Colour to Care is a special project and a lovely example of collaboration with local people at this difficult time. The books are a great resource for families - kids and adults alike - to take part in a therapeutic, relaxing activity.”

A study published in the Creativity Research Journal in 2017 explained that colouring is a relaxing, therapeutic activity proven to be good for mental health, and can be used as an accessible self-help tool to help reduce anxiety.  

Both books are available to order and receive via post, however there is also a digital version of the activity book that can be printed at home. St Clare asks that local people make a suggested donation of £2 for the activity book and £5 for the colouring book to help raise funds for the hospice after the cancellation and postponement of many of their fundraising events due to Covid-19.

For more information visit St Clare Hospice