SCRAPBOOKING — Francine Audy displays the scrapbook page created by women at the Regional Psychiatric Centre as a thank you for her assistance. (Yaworski photo)

Scrapbooking therapeutic for women in RPC

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski

SASKATOON — When Francine Audy saw a notice in the parish bulletin seeking someone to help women at the Regional Psychiatric Centre (RPC) learn the art of scrapbooking, she knew it was something she could do.

Having created personalized scrapbooks since she was a child, Audy was confident that she had the skills to help others try this creative hobby, which involves designing and crafting decorated memory books to display treasured photos. What she didn’t realize was how much the sessions she led would mean to women incarcerated at the facility operated by Correctional Service Canada (CSC).

Responding to the notice, Audy connected with RPC chaplain Peter Oliver before holding the first scrapbooking session in January 2010. Oliver noted that the women at RPC might be reluctant to share information or images of their families.

“They were very protective of their photographs,” said Audy. “I remember the first time we got together to explain what we would be doing — one person had done it before, two others had no clue about it. I brought some examples, but nobody had their photos with them.”

Even during subsequent sessions, one woman did not bring photos, but simply worked on pages.

“But on the last day I was there, I saw all the albums, and we were passing the photos to each other. It was like the girls just came out of their shell,” she described.

During that same visit, more women joined the group. It sometimes takes up to 30 days before personal items arrive at the centre, Audy explained. “They had recently arrived at RPC and had no photos with them. During that session, two girls did beautiful drawings and a third was doing origami.”

On the last visit, all the women had photos and worked on their albums, and Audy was allowed to see the work they had been doing.

“I saw their children, their godchildren, their siblings, as well as some friends, and some of them exchanged photos as well.”

Participants were asked to provide feedback about the experience. “Two made comments that it was therapeutic for them,” said Audy.

One woman responded, “It gave me great joy improving my photo. I have found myself a new hobby that I hope will keep me out of trouble when I get out.”

She described how Audy’s kindness touched her heart. “I will never forget my first experience scrabbooking with you.”

As a sign of their appreciation, the women worked together to create a special thank you page and presented it to Audy.

“Each of them wrote me a thank you note. What an unexpected gift,” said Audy. “I will cherish this page and include it in one of my scrapbooks. I know that when I am feeling down and worthless, I can go back to that page and feel uplifted knowing that I made a difference in their life and that they have blessed mine.”

Audy said she enjoyed her experience at RPC and is looking forward to starting the ministry up again. “It’s wonderfully rewarding,’ she said, encouraging others to get involved in the program.

Audy is completing the two-year diocesan Lay Formation program in June.