Former Olympian's message of hope to young people

"Don't let your start define your end" was former Olympian Fatima Whitbread's message to young people at an art display for those receiving mental health support.

The javelin thrower attended the launch of an exhibition at the Horton Centre in Epsom put on by Mindworks, which provides specialist support in Surrey.

The event showcases art work by young people who have suffered trauma or been through the care system, as well as their parents and carers.

Whitbread, who grew up in care having been abandoned as a baby, said it was "wonderful" to see the work created by the young people.

She said finding something you loved was really important, and that sport had been her "saviour" as an 11-year-old when she watched Mary Peters win the women's pentathlon in the 1972 Olympics.

"Giving a young person hope is really important because it's that that keeps them focused in what they want to do," she said.

She added that finding a passion could give young people a sense of belonging, the opportunity to share what they loved to do and taught them life skills.

"They can engage with people in the community, can share with likeminded people, they can have good role models that can help them when they start to flourish and grow," she told BBC Radio Surrey.

"Don't let your start define your end, it doesn't have to.

"At the end of the day it's all about the journey of learning, and experience of self growth, learning what you can do and what your limitations are."

Sara May, 18, performed her own songs at the launch event, which she described as "really welcoming".

"Everyone listening and telling me their experiences really helped me to understand how they took my music and how it made them feel," she said.

Anna, 17, had a painting on display at the event, showing a person carrying a gold umbrella with houses on either side of them.

She said: "I'm feeling like, wow, people will be looking at my picture and trying to understand what I'm drawing and how I'm feeling."

The exhibition, now in its third year, is being held until 11 July in what was the chapel at Epsom's "cluster" of five psychiatric hospitals.

Art therapist Rebecca Robertson said art gave young people a different medium that was "slightly less directive" than having to talk face-to-face about trauma.

"It's very rare as a child or young person that you get the opportunity to exhibit in a public space, such a beautiful space, and to get them to express their thoughts and feelings on paper," she said.

"It's wonderful and it's so moving."

Whitbread founded Fatima's UK Campaign to call for improvements to the care system and ensure children in care are "seen, heard and valued".

"Every child deserves the right to a safe and happy childhood," she added.

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