Access Heart Foundation brought stroke survivors and “Heart Warriors”, children living with congenital heart defects (CHDs), together for the Paint and Heal Lagos 2026, a creative wellbeing experience designed to foster expression, connection, confidence and wellbeing.

The event, held at the British Deputy High Commission in Ikoyi, Lagos on September 17, 2026, brought their families, for a day of guided painting, creative movement and shared experiences as a form of rehabilitation.

Beyond the artwork itself, the gathering created a space for participants to connect, express themselves and experience moments of joy outside the clinical environments that can often shape their lives.

The organisers explained that recovery for stroke survivors can extend far beyond the initial medical emergency, noting that regaining movement, confidence and independence can be a long and deeply personal journey, with many of the challenges continuing long after a patient leaves the hospital.

Paint and Heal incorporated creative activities designed to encourage participation, self-expression and a renewed sense of agency.

The organisers further explained that living with a congenital heart defect can mean frequent hospital visits, medical procedures and conversations centred on a diagnosis from an early age.

Paint and Heal created a pressure-free environment where the children could create, interact and enjoy themselves alongside their families and other participants.

The initiative also sought to draw attention to two health realities that remain insufficiently discussed in Nigeria: the often-invisible journey of stroke recovery and the prevalence of congenital heart defects.

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect worldwide, affecting approximately one in every 100 births, according to the United States (U.S.) Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Statics also showed that about one in four babies born with a CHD has a critical defect requiring intervention within the first year of life. In Nigeria, the establishment of a national paediatric cardiology registry has documented children living with CHDs across the country, highlighting the need for greater awareness, timely diagnosis, treatment and long-term support.

The event was co-hosted by the British Deputy High Commission, whose participation reflected growing interest in community-led approaches to health, wellbeing and social inclusion.

His Royal Highness, the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, was represented at the event by Farouk Gajo of the Sarkin Fulani Lagos Foundation, which partnered with Access Heart Foundation to support the initiative and reinforce the importance of community and traditional leadership in advancing health and dignity for families.

A key highlight of the event was stroke survivors regaining fine motor movement through painting and the parents of the congenital heart defect warriors connecting through their artworks, capturing the spirit of Paint and Heal and creating an environment where participants could focus not on what their conditions had taken from them, but on what they could still create, experience and share.

Founder, Access Heart Foundation, Lola Alli, said the Paint and Heal is about giving people back a sense of joy to stroke survivor rebuilding movement and confidence by brushstroke and childing with heart condition.

Access Heart Foundation ambassador, Ayotunde Omotogun, who is also living with a congenital heart defect, said the significance of the experience was deeply personal.

“As a CHD patient myself, I know what it means to finally be somewhere that sees you beyond your diagnosis. Paint and Heal gave our Heart Warriors exactly that today, and I’m honoured to be part of it,” Ayotunde said.

British Deputy High Commissioner, Simon Field, said, “We were pleased to support Access Heart Foundation’s work in bringing creativity and community together around health and wellbeing, and to stand with families, survivors and warriors whose stories deserve wider recognition.”