PATIENTS at Witney Community Hospital can help fill their time with new art packs, thanks to a new initiative.

Arts co-ordinator Angela Conlan came up with the idea after concerns that patients would struggle with the social distancing measures.

Ms Conlan has prepared individual art packs for patients at Oxford Health’s community hospitals.

The first of the packs were delivered on Friday to the Witney Community Hospital.

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Each one contains pens, pencils and paper, in addition to poetry, word searches, sudoku, colouring sheets, origami and quizzes.

Ms Conlan said: “We have people on wards who have no visitors and they’ll be just as distressed as we on the outside are.

“They need something to take their mind off things and little activities and brain teasers stimulate your mind and creativity.”

Ms Conlan said feedback from the first packs was hugely positive and she has been told to make more by patients.

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The packs are made possible with support from Oxford Health Charity and local businesses.

The poetry book was created two years ago with the poet Pat Winslow and patients at the Witney Community Hospital, with support from West Oxford District Council (WODC).

Dr Lizzie Burns and Zulay Newell have provided instructions for origami and The Works shop in Witney gave Ms Conlan a discount on the materials.

Postcards were funded by WODC and feature work by patients and the artist Dionne Freeman.

The latest series of packs will be delivered to community hospitals across the region as the hospitals order them.