HALTON stroke survivors have been getting creative during Make May Purple by making purple flower sculptures to celebrate the Stroke Association’s national awareness month.

Six stroke survivors and carers joined a workshop on Monday organised by the Stroke Association in partnership with LifewithArt, a charity which helps young and disabled people throughout the UK through education in the arts.

Artist Faith Bebbington led the session at the former B&Q unit on Dennis Road, Widnes.

Newspaper, wire and coloured tape were used to design individual petal shapes which they each decorated.

Faith then bound them together on to wire stems to make the iris sculptures.

Bethan Honeywill, chief operating officer at LifewithArt, said: “We believe that art and the creative process play an important role in enriching lives, reducing isolation, nurturing self-esteem and encouraging inclusion.

“We are delighted to be working with the Stroke Association in our Widnes Charity Arts Centre and doing our bit to Make May Purple!”

During the month of May the charity is encouraging everyone to go purple and raise vital funds to show support for people who have been affected by stroke.

Alison Gilfoyle, information advice and support coordinator at the Stroke Association, said: “We gave the LifewithArt team a brief of producing something purple, possibly involving flowers and decided to create irises.

“The workshop with Faith was fantastic. All of the participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to craft something colourful and creative.”

The Stroke Association provides an information, advice and support service and communication support in Halton, in partnership with Halton Clinical Commissioning Group and Halton Council.

To get involved with Make May Purple and help to change the story for stroke survivors, visit stroke.org.uk/makemaypurple.