A Creative Escape
Create a 2020 COVID-19 Time Capsule. We are living through history right now. Create an image of what’s going on for you right now.
Download a free printable to colour in.
Skip to 29 minutes in to find out more about this project.
Want to be a part of a collaborative art piece, that records our time in lockdown?
Want to feel more connected and together, even though we are separate?
Do you enjoy doodling, but fear that you have no talent?
There is no artistic ability required for this project. You just have to be willing to join in and have fun. You will need a piece of plain A4 paper, and whatever you like to draw or paint with.
Let’s feel more connected, and draw something for fun, without judgement! This project aims to represent the feeling that we are all isolated together.
Watch now, to find out how to join in and what you need to draw.
Would you like to cheer up your neighbours?
Want to connect your local community?
Want to share our creativity and company with those who need it most?
Be the change you want to see in the world, and put this A4 rainbow poster in your window, to invite others to join our online art groups. It could really make a difference to somebody who lives alone, or someone who is struggling with their mental health.
It doesn’t have to cost any money to share a little bit of happiness with the world outside your window. Thank you so much. Stay safe.
Do you live in Plymouth and feel isolated in lockdown?
Are you feeling cut off from your social support network?
Have your usual support services been suspended while the NHS responds to the coronavirus crisis?
Our groups offer a “check in” to share how individuals are feeling, a short, guided, mindful meditation, a mindful drawing exercise, an easy art project, and an opportunity for chatting and social connection. These are an adaptation of groups we were holding in the community in pubs and cafes, before COVID-19.
We are currently, voluntarily, delivering three groups per week using Zoom video software and Facebook Live. Viewers can join in by video chat, or by commenting on Facebook.
The local services on which mental health patients rely, have been suspended as resources are diverted to deal with the virus. Many other services across the NHS have also been closed. We have gathered several written testimonials from users of our service, before and after COVID-19. who have said our continuing mindful art club as an online source of support has been vital to their mental health. Our groups have always aimed to combat social isolation.
Our online classes are already attracting hundreds of viewers and dozens of comments, with positive feedback that indicate we are succeeding in easing the sense of social isolation brought about by the current lockdown. Our first online class was broadcast live on Facebook on 18th March 2020; since then we have been getting about 1000 views per video. Our clients have reported feeling supported, and connected, enjoying the art, learning how mindfulness can calm anxiety, having time for self-awareness, and being able to chat openly without judgement. One of our clients told us,
“The group has been a god-send as it’s provided me with support on so many levels. It’s been so beneficial to my wellbeing, especially at this time of lockdown as all other lines of (cancer) support have been suspended. It’s a great source of support being able to connect with people who are also struggling with their mental health. The meditation and art has helped focus my mind and helped me to be calm and find inner peace. By the time the class has ended I feel positive and ready to take on the world knowing I am not alone.”
To join in with a live group:
We look forward to seeing you at an online group soon!
We are running Mindful Art Club as an online live Facebook event, twice a week on Mondays at 10am and Wednesdays at 10am, while the UK is in lockdown due to the Corona Virus. There is also a private group on Fridays for people in recovery from addiction.
To join in with a live group:
If you don’t want to be on video you can just join with audio only. You can download the free video chat software Zoom, to your computer, tablet, phone or other device. We look forward to chatting with you at the next online mindful art club.
Are you feeling anxious?
Are you socially isolated?
Missed the online art club?
No problem. Catch up with the video replay, and join in by commenting in real time. Enjoy a short mindful meditation and an easy art project. Grab a coffee or tea, and try some creativity with Emma and Peggy.
Watch Now: Art Group Catch-Up TV.
We are running Mindful Art Club as an online live Facebook event, twice a week on Mondays at 10am and Wednesdays at 10am, while the UK is in lockdown due to the Corona Virus. There is also a private group on Fridays for people in recovery from addiction.
To join in with a live group:
As always with Mindful Art Club, there is no talent required. Just a willingness to have a go and have fun. We look forward to seeing you at the next online live group.
Mental health challenges can range from depression, anxiety, stress, self-harm, and personality disorders, to bereavement, addiction and more. However, there is a surprising amount of support available in the community around Plymouth, where we are based. We have created a list of local resources, offering support, counselling, groups, education, activities, advice and information. While it is not possible to visit most of these organisations during the Covid-19 outbreak, their websites offer information and alternative sources of support.
You can also enjoy social connection, mindfulness and art by watching one of our Facebook live groups during the Corona Virus lockdown.
Please let us know if there is anything else that we could add to our resources page.
Are you breaking free from your addictions?
Are you in recovery from problems with alcohol or other substances?
Are you ready to recover your more creative side?
Create Your Recovery is for people in recovery from alcohol dependency or other substance misuse, and has been partly funded by The National Lottery.
This new Facebook live-stream event takes place on Fridays, 10.00am until 11.00am, starting on Friday 3rd April 2020.
We used to run these art groups at Harbour Drug & Alcohol Services, Hyde Park House, Mutley, Plymouth, and asked for a donation of £2.00 per session. However, the new online art group will be free, (with an option to donate if you want to, and if you can afford to.)
We start with a “check in”, and ten minutes of guided mindfulness meditation. Then we do an easy art project and chat. Read more: What Happens at The Club?
We started running a mindfulness art club at Harbour on February 14th 2020 on a Friday. We didn’t specifically choose a Friday but this seems to work well as it is a calming space just before the weekend.
Attendance has been steady. The simplicity of the sessions works well for this client group. Not needing to be able to sit and do a full meditation session or be any good at art. The art offers an informal space to chat, get support and relax with no agenda or expectation.
The combination of art and mindfulness helps clients to explore difficult emotions without realising they are doing it. It is a gentle way of accessing thoughts and feelings and learning to process them which is really important for drug and alcohol users and those in recovery. It is early days for this group at Harbour but I am hoping in the future to build on its success.
Jocella Peck, Harbour Drug and Alcohol Services, Plymouth
We have made the decision to temporarily stop our Friday group, until we can safely return to The Harbour Centre.
We would like to invite all Harbour clients to join in with our two other groups instead. We run these sessions as Zoom meetings, which we stream to Facebook Live on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10am, at www.facebook.com/mindfulartclub These sessions are free, and can help anyone who struggles with mental health difficulties, or social isolation, to feel happier, calmer and more socially connected.
We look forward to seeing you back at The Harbour Centre when the UK government offers guidance for how community groups can meet again safely.
Not ready to join the group? That’s OK. Grab some free mindful colouring pages here.
Trainee counsellor, Susy Putnam, interviewed Emma and Peggy from Mindful Art Club, just days before the UK went into social distancing measures, because of the Corona Virus, in March 2020. Susy asked,
Now Emma and I would love to hear from you. What would you like to see and do in an online mindful art session? Tell us in the comments below.
Emma and I really want to know your thoughts around this, so that we can continue to support people during this time of social isolation.
Sending you lovely thoughts and a virtual hug from us both.
Peggy and Emma.
Radio Devon’s David FitzGerald asks Peggy, what is Mindful Art Club, and how do we join in online?
