Month: March 2022

Art Without Self-Judgement

We recently received this great feedback via LinkedIn.

Well done on setting up such an amazing project. I’ve been to a couple of sessions and found them to be really friendly, fun, informative and relaxing and it really helped me deal with my anxiety. The way you run them allowed me to have a go at art and leave behind the self criticism that so often affects me. The great thing about it is you’re giving people ideas that they can take away with them and continue at home. A big thank you Peggy and Emma, I wish you every success in the future.

Mel
Peggy's art work

Livewell Funds Plympton Art Club

We are delighted to have received funding from The Livewell Foundation to run a mindful art club in Plympton for six months. The Livewell Foundation’s mission is to support projects and initiatives that will help improve health and wellbeing, prevent ill health or reduce social isolation within Plymouth and South West Devon.  Livewell Southwest is an independent social enterprise providing integrated health and social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon.

Our Plympton group meets weekly at The Brook Inn, Longbrook Street at 11am on Thursdays and offers coffee, creativity and company to improve mental health and reduce social isolation in Plympton.

Join our mailing list to find out what other free and low cost events we offer around Plymouth.

Book Now: Evening Wellbeing Course

Do you suffer from stress or worry?

Want to practice art for self-care?

Looking for a fun and easy way to learn mindfulness?

Tickets are now available for our next eight-week Mindful Art Wellbeing Course.

The next course begins on Monday 9th May 2022 and will be at a venue in Plymouth city centre. Places are limited so it will be first-come, first-served.

Taster Session: Monday 28th March 2022 Read more.

This wellbeing course will be hosted by Emma Sprawson and Lee Squires. Lee will be offering ten minutes of Qi Gong at the beginning of the session.

Read more: Mindful Art Wellbeing Course – with Qi Gong

‘Art could help save the NHS millions…’

A woman who helped establish The Mindful Art Club in Plymouth has called for more research into what helps or at least can control the nation’s mental health struggles.

reports Nino Robertson for ‘Plymouth Live’ (The Herald).

We were delighted to welcome Nino to our group recently, who joined us for a mindful art session at Moments Café, with the Mayor and Consort.

Read: Lord Mayor Visits Mindful Art Club

Nino wrote this great article for Plymouth Live which describes what we do and why we do it.

Read: ‘Art could help save the NHS millions’ as club set up in Plymouth.

Join our club: Sign up for free colouring pages and doodle sheets.

Brene Brown: Connection and Belonging

At the moment I’m listening to Brene Brown’s audio book, ‘Daring Greatly.’ Brené Brown is an American research professor, lecturer, author, and podcast host, known for her research on shame, vulnerability, and leadership. She became famous in 2010 for her TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability.

In ‘Daring Greatly’ she says that if we want to fully experience love and belonging we must believe that we are worthy of love and belonging. I thought that her definitions of connection and belonging really describe what happens at Mindful Art Club.

Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard and valued. When they can give and receive without judgement. Belonging is the innate human desire to be part of something larger than us. Because this yearning is so primal we often try to acquire it by fitting in and seeking approval, which are not only hollow substitutes for belonging but often barriers to it. Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.

Brene Brown, ‘Daring Greatly’.

Join the Mindful Art Club newsletter now to develop a greater sense of connection and belonging!

Lord Mayor Visits Mindful Art Club

On Friday 4th March 2022 The Lord Mayor and Consort visited our weekly art group, held upstairs in Moments Cafe, in Plymouth City Centre.

It was a pleasure to meet The Lord Mayor Mrs Terri Beer, and Consort, Mr Colin Beer, who joined us for coffee and a chat, and then took part in the mindful art session, with ten other participants.

The session included a check-in, guided mindfulness, mindful art, and then a simple art project, with the opportunity to chat and relax. The Mayor and Consort engaged in the group discussions and enjoyed the activities.

Terri Beer was born and raised in Plymouth and has lived in the city all her life.  She was educated at St. Maurice Primary School and Plympton Secondary Modern School (now Plympton Academy). Our very first Mindful Art Club was founded in Plympton and still takes place at The Brook Inn on Thursdays. Mindful Art Club has now grown to offer sessions in community services all over Plymouth. We also offer one day retreats, staff wellbeing sessions and evening classes.

Join our club by signing up here to find out what we offer in your area.

[Video] Mindful Art at Ocean Studios

After winning a competition to receive a year’s business support from The Real Ideas Organisation we have now run hundreds of mindful art sessions, many of them at Ocean Studios in Royal William Yard. Watch now to find out:

  • Why we started this social enterprise
  • What happens at a typical mindful art session
  • See the stunning waterside venue at Ocean Studios
  • Hear from Lee Squires the benefits of volunteering
  • What is mindful drawing

Try mindful drawing at home: Sign up for free colouring pages and zen doodling activity sheets.