TREATMENT comes in all forms at St Catherine's Hospice in Preston, with many diverse new approaches which are not necessarily medically based in the traditional sense.

One alternative therapy that's proving a real hit is offered by fine arts graduate Sarah Jackson who has made a lasting impression on many patients, teaching them new arts and crafts skills and giving the chance to express themselves creatively.

Sarah is a young-looking 27-year-old, softly spoken with a manner that immediately puts you at ease, almost therapeutic in itself.

She started working at the hospice initially as a volunteer when she finished her studies.

"I came one day a week," she explained. "I chatted to patients and encouraged them to try new projects.

"Gradually people attempted to do things they had never done before. The more they started taking up different activities, the more they wanted me to come in and eventually I was invited to work full-time."

Appeals officer at St Catherine's, John Nickson, said: "She's quite unique, she came here as a volunteer but she's had such a profound effect on people that she created a job for herself."

Sarah gently nudges patients into learning new skills as it keeps them occupied and gives them the chance to be creative. Often they do joint art projects with relatives and that allows them to share quality time with each other.

"Some of the patients I meet have to cope with some sort of disability as well as coping with their illness," said Sarah. "For example, they may have a weakness down one side.

"We find working with clay is particularly therapeutic. They enjoy modelling it. And even just to make a clay pot can be very fulfilling.

Sarah is very persuasive and certainly reassuring. She has a knack of bringing the best out of people, even in a difficult situation - like not being able to paint!

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