00:00She's best known for transforming forgotten furniture into stunning centrepieces on Channel 4's Find It, Fix It, Flog It.
00:08But behind the paintbrush and power tools, Gemma Longworth has been quietly using creativity as a tool for healing.
00:17When I'm feeling a bit stressed, I'm feeling a bit nervous, anxious like I was today, this morning I've got a lot going on.
00:23If I pick up a paintbrush or a pencil, it just puts me at ease.
00:27It gives me a little bit of a moment for myself, a mindfulness activity where I can just focus on what's in front of me and everything else can just wait.
00:38Gemma Longworth has built a career out of upcycling, giving new life to old items and inspiring others to do the same.
00:46But her passion for making goes much deeper than aesthetics.
00:50When I was younger, I lost my little brother, Sean died and I was not very good with expressing my emotions.
00:56So I turned to art and it's something I've been really passionate about for many, many years.
01:02And if I'm feeling a bit down, a bit stressed, if I pick up a paintbrush, it makes me feel a little bit better.
01:08After facing personal bereavement, Gemma turned to crafting not just as a creative outlet, but as a form of therapy.
01:15And now she's sharing that journey in a new personal book, Craft Your Cure.
01:21So the book is 25 craft activities, but alongside those activities is my personal story and how I've used art to express myself and comfort through dark times.
01:34The book's practical tips are woven with heartfelt stories, a true reflection of Gemma herself.
01:39We've all got habits and we can turn to the wrong thing when we're experiencing a trauma.
01:45And so what I'm trying to do is show that there are positive habits that you can pick up to help you heal.
01:53Gemma's work in art therapy is extensive with qualifications and applied arts, textiles and therapeutic arts.
01:59She's delivered sessions at Alderhay Children's Hospital, schools and community spaces.
02:05In some capacity, I've worked for Alderhay for about 20 years.
02:09Now that makes me seem really old, but yeah, about 20 years.
02:13So I work with the kids on the wards, I do the staff wellbeing project and I run the creative bereavement service, Hidden Gems as well.
02:21Her organisation, Hidden Gems, offers creative bereavement support to people of all ages.
02:26Well, the whole point of the book is to use art as a therapeutic tool and to not look, not strive for perfection.
02:37So when it came to writing the book, I thought, well, why would I put that pressure on myself to aim for a perfect novel?
02:44I'm not an academic, but I try my best.
02:46And that's what the activities in the book are encouraging from the reader.
02:50With the rising popularity of mindfulness and a growing need for accessible wellbeing tools, she is sharing hair tricks and tips.
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