THE dark days of January and February can be dismal for anyone, but for those suffering from a long-term illness or mental health issue, they can be particularly depressing.

It was partly with this in mind that the woman behind Hexham-based Dilly Arts decided to launch a programme of creative opportunities for people in a similar situation to herself.

Ally Redshaw-Boxwell lives with the chronic fatigue syndrome, ME, which can confine her to bed for days on end.

When she has had the energy however, she has enjoyed rediscovering the joy she gets from painting and, with a strong career background in arts development, Ally began to wonder how she could use her talents to help others access the therapeutic potential of art.

With the help of her husband, Graeme, who also set up a website for the project, she used her ‘good days’, when the ME was giving her a break, to put together an application for £10,000 to the Awards for All arm of the Big Lottery Fund to set up the nicely-named ‘CompassionART’.

Its aim was to offer a free series of ‘beneficial, creative, stimulating and engaging activities to bring people together in a calm and supportive environment, breaking down isolation, especially during the difficult winter months.’

It’s a tribute to Ally’s past achievements – she used to be a director of Durham City Arts – that the money was approved in a matter of months, and the first session took place yesterday at the Lookwide Centre in Maiden’s Walk, close to Hexham General Hospital.

Ally said: “I wanted it to start in the winter because I am aware that the winter can be very difficult for people like me who are stuck in the house a lot. I am not exactly housebound, but today is Thursday and I haven’t been out since Sunday this week.

“I have pulled together a programme of activities that I think will be enriching and beneficial to people.”

Using her network of contacts within the artistic community, Ally has come up with four very different options, with the philosophy that attendees can either do them all or simply choose those that interest them most.

“The sessions are run by people who have a good understanding of what it’s like to live with a long-term illness, although we can’t offer any medical or physical support to anyone,” Ally added.

People don’t have to have any experience of making art – although those who do have are also very welcome.

There will be ten weeks of textile arts provided by Frances Keay, who will introduce fabric painting, including silk painting, batik, drawing and stitch.

There will be two sessions of creative writing with Sheree Mack, who will work with participants to produce writing journals,.

And adult learning tutor and woodcrafter Deni Riach will be leading some sessions out of doors, working with willow and green wood.

Yesterday’s first CompassionART meeting was a gentle introduction to the therapeutic benefits of gong baths.

‘Gong baths?’ I hear you ask (that was my reaction too) – but don’t knock what you have never tried, Ally advised.

Run by the ‘Geordie Gong Master’ Gill Gosling, of Dragonfly Gong – Yoga for Sound Life, these sessions (there are others on March 29 and April 19) are described as a ‘whole body adventure’.

It certainly sounds relaxing, with a lot of lying down or snuggling up in a chair with cosy blankets, being bathed in the sounds of Gill’s 12 gongs as well as singing bowls, harmonium and flutes.

In all, there will be 20 different art sessions to take people through to the end of April and the beginning of spring.

Ally said she believes there is nothing quite like this on offer in Tynedale that is free to people, and hopes that if it is a success, more money could be found to make it a more permanent fixture on the local calendar.

“People are offered things to do with fitness, to help get their fitness back, and then there are organisations like Talking Matters Northumberland, which is brilliant, but I haven’t come across anything that speaks to your soul and your creativity and your inner self.

I know that some people might well get that out of sport, but for me, it is art that has given me a deeper understanding of myself.

“I’m hoping that if this is successful, I can go back to the Big Lottery and ask them for more funding to make it into a more regular activity throughout the year.”