A POTTER has told how creativity is a cure for not only mental health struggles but Covid-19.

Lee Steele - who runs The Potter Man Studio just outside Holme on Spalding Moor - is a ceramics artist and pottery studio.

He offers classes for people of all ages and walks of life - from NHS workers in search of a break to care home residents with conditions such as dementia.

It comes after Mental Health Awareness Week - a time for people to reflect on their mental wellbeing, support systems and hobbies that could change their lives.

And Lee knows first hand how creative activities like pottery can soothe the soul, having once worked for over 10 years at a psychiatric hospital as a technical instructor in art and pottery. His first introduction to the craft was a 3D design craft course at York College.

Explaining the benefits, he said: “When you’re doing it you just don’t think of anything else. It’s creative. You just lose yourself in not just pottery but anything creative.

“I have to be quite careful as I can lose five hours. It can totally take your mind off. We’re made of creative beings if you like. It’s a part of your brain you don’t use so much in the day to day.

“There’s people talking, it’s a nice safe space just to be without all the worries there.

“It’s ever so beneficial.”

After the pandemic hit, Lee found himself struggling with the change in life and lingering effects of Covid-19 on his lungs.

“On a personal level I found lockdown difficult. I suffered some sort of anxiety if I didn’t go down to the studio. I had Covid as well, I found my breathing got better when I was sat nice and still working on a piece to ease the breathing.”