Several years ago I had the joy of a weekly committment to a homeless hostel here in Bournemouth. Michael House is so much more than a hostel though. It takes men and women young and old, in crisis and gives them a safe place to call home. Comfy individual rooms, good nutritious food, and the care of dedicated staff make it a very special place. People here don’t just sit around either, they can try their hand at all sorts of interesting things and I had the privilage of going in and taking a whole range of art activities for the residents to enjoy. Mosaics, paper mache, tie and dye, sketching, a garden mural and a coloured wood block relief were just some of the things we did. Watching the concentration and immersive enjoyment of doing something creative meant that folk could switch off from their problems for a little while and instead focus on making something beautiful.
A few weeks ago the manager got in touch with me and asked if I would do a print of the two houses for a Christmas card and I was delighted to be asked. Here is my print. However cold it is, the windows are giving out a cheery light ready to care and support the next person who is fortunate enought to stay there. These are available as cards at https://michaelhouse.co.uk/
H JJ Miller Designs 