North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb praised staff at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) when he opened an exhibition of inspiring artwork by mental health patients.

Eastern Daily Press: Jake Whitbread, Norman Lamb MP and Clara Price with some of the artwork. Photo: NSFTJake Whitbread, Norman Lamb MP and Clara Price with some of the artwork. Photo: NSFT (Image: NSFT)

Mr Lamb was speaking at the launch of Expect Sunshine, an exhibition at the trust's Hellesdon Hospital featuring work by Rollesby Ward patients, past and present, ranging from paintings and drawings to sculpture and music.

After spending some time admiring the artwork and meeting staff and patients Mr Lamb said: 'It is great to see patients express themselves creatively as part of their therapy and the results are fantastic.

'I have great admiration for the staff at NSFT who have pursued this initiative and this exhibition shows what can be achieved by people with mental ill health working with dedicated therapists.'

The two-week exhibition has been organised by art psychotherapist Jake Whitbread and Clara Price, occupational therapist, who have been working with patients on the psychiatric intensive care unit.

It aims to highlight the benefits of art therapy and how it can help people who might have experienced trauma and find it difficult to clearly communicate their own thoughts, feelings and emotions, express themselves and so make progress along their journey of recovery.

Jake said: 'This exhibition is an immense accomplishment for the people who created these wonderful works of art and music.

'But each piece is not just art; it represents a personal and often very emotional journey each artist has gone on in expressing themselves creatively.

'It has been a privilege to be able to share that journey with some truly incredible human beings, and this exhibition is testament to what they have achieved.'

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process to improve a person's physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.