Beeston artist, Matthew Lyons has unveiled a series of large artworks featuring Treetops Hospice staff and volunteers during national Hospice Care Week (9 to 15 October).
The three group portraits feature ‘people at work’ from across all areas of the end-of-life hospice including nurses, the hospice cook, a counsellor, and volunteers from the Long Eaton Treetops charity shop and gardening team.
Matthew, 53, is a figurative artist with a unique style of painting with oil, acrylic and charcoal on plywood. He recently took part in the Sky Portrait Artist of the Year competition 2023.
The portraits, which took seven months to complete, were unveiled at a special event at Treetops Hospice in Risley during Hospice Care Week, an annual event to recognise and celebrate hospice care nationwide. This year’s theme, ‘People at Work’, highlights those who work in the hospice sector #WeAreHospiceCare
Matthew said:
“I’m delighted to present the portraits to Treetops Hospice, especially during Hospice Care Week which celebrates all the people who give their time and care to the local community.
“I’ve never painted such large portraits before so it’s been challenging to paint on this scale, but I always want to challenge myself as an artist.
“I hope that the hospice loves them and will hang them for the next 40 years!”
Treetops Chief Executive, Julie Heath, explained that the portraits were a wonderful way to help the charity celebrate their significant milestone:
“We want to say a big thank you to Matthew for the portraits which are such a special gift during our 40th year.
“We’ve achieved so much over the last 40 years which we couldn’t have done without the dedication and commitment of all our staff and volunteers. So, to be able to immortalise some of them in paint is wonderful. We will proudly display the paintings for everyone to enjoy for many more years to come.”
Videos featuring Matthew and the portraits in progress can be found on the Treetops Hospice You Tube channel online here.
This year, Treetops Hospice is celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in the local community. During this time, the hospice has supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.
For further information about Treetops services visit www.treetops.org.uk or call 0115 949 1264.
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About Treetops Hospice
Treetops Hospice, the leading end-of-life care charity in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families.
The charity provides support from diagnosis onwards for patients with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart and respiratory conditions.
This year, we are very proud to be celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in our local community. During this time, we have supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.
We have achieved this amazing milestone thanks to our dedicated volunteers who help across the whole hospice and in our charity shops, our hard-working staff team, and our supporters, past and present.
Last year, our team of Hospice at Home nurses provided over 20,000 hours of care to terminally-ill patients, working day and night to give much-needed support.
Our team of bereavement counsellors provided over 4,500 counselling sessions – more than 900 of them to children and young people. Wellbeing team members provide valuable information and support to those who need it.
Treetops is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need and welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate
A counselling session for a bereaved child costs £34.50. An overnight Hospice at Home nursing shift for a patient at the end of life costs £108.
Treetops Hospice, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS
0115 949 1264 | www.treetopshospice.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 519540
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