Prime Minister Theresa May wrote to a Teddington therapist to recognise her work with victims of sexual exploitation and dementia patients.

Amanda Root is the founder of Talitha, a group of professional artists supporting recovery with art therapy.

Under Ms Root’s leadership, Talitha has been working with women and girls who have experienced sexual exploitation and trafficking in India since 2011.

More recently the group has diversified to work with children affected by prostitution in Bolivia as well as women who have escaped domestic violence and people living with dementia in the UK.

She is the latest recipient of a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers.

In a personal letter to Amanda, Ms May wrote: “Through Talitha, you are providing vital therapeutic support to women and girls who have experienced sexual exploitation, trafficking and domestic violence abroad, as well as people living with dementia here in Britain.”

Ms Root said: “It is a very great honour to receive this award and to share it with all the wonderful Talitha Arts volunteers who work so tirelessly to liberate the voiceless and build bridges of hope through the creative arts.

“We count it a great privilege to help children and adults whose lives have been damaged by trauma, abuse, ill health or circumstance, and the tenacity and perseverance of those we work with never ceases to humble and inspire.”