A CAMHS patient has put her private artworks on display to St Andrew’s staff in order to raise money for a charity she supports.

The 17-year-old, who was admitted to Stowe in December, selected 27 canvas paintings which are now on display at the Chapel until Tuesday, October 4.

They are all available to purchase and staff interested are encouraged to email Art Psychotherapist Lauren Stanton who is overseeing all the sales.

The young person decided she wanted to do something to support the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, which was named after a 20-year-old woman who was murdered for being different.

Sophie and her boyfriend were creative, artistic people who dressed in their own unique way. They were attacked by a gang of five boys in a park in Lancashire in 2007.

The young person said: “I wanted to do something to support the charity because it was a horrible thing that happened to Sophie. Everyone is entitled to choose what they want to wear and be different and Sophie was punished for that.”

Lauren, who has worked with the young person since she was admitted, said: “Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that allows people to express and understand emotions and experiences through artistic expression and the creative process.

“Sometimes it can be difficult to understand how we feel, but by using this creative approach guided by the art therapist it can address emotional difficulties which may be confusing and distressing.

“Certainly with this young person, art therapy has been incredibly beneficial for the expression of thoughts and feelings when words are not available.

“The art works on display, although not made in art psychotherapy, demonstrate the special relationship she has with art making. The exhibition was a really big deal for her and the whole team in CAMHS are so proud that she has managed to host this event.

“It would be really wonderful if as many staff and patients could pop down to visit the artworks. If anyone would like to purchase one can email me directly.”