Category: Mindfulness

New: Recovery Art Club

Has your drinking started to worry you?

Is using drugs causing problems in your life?

Are you already in recovery but want to connect with others?

Recovery Art Club is a free, weekly group at Moments Cafe in Plymouth city centre. The group is upstairs in the Arthur Read room and will be running for two months.

Starts: Wednesday 31st May 1.00pm – 2.30pm

Moments Café, 69a New George Street, Plymouth, PL1 1RJ

Even if you can’t decide whether you have a problem or not, you are welcome to come along. There is no art experience required! Friendly and informal. Just grab a coffee and join in.

Connect with others and discover new ways of practising self-care through easy art and mindfulness exercises. Practice being here in the present moment, and accept where you are right now, without self-judgement. We will also be inviting some inspiring guest speakers to these groups, to talk about addiction and recovery.

The group is hosted by Emma Sprawson and Peggy Melmoth. They are the founders of Mindful Art Club, and have a background of working for many years in addiction treatment centres in Plymouth.

Places are free thanks to a grant from Devon Community Foundation, but booking is essential as we expect this group to be popular.

Mindful Art Session

We start with a brief chat about how everyone is feeling, then a short guided mindfulness session, followed by a simple art activity that anyone can do. Our mission is to make mindfulness more fun! We’re not teaching art techniques, we’re just here to play.

Places are limited, so if you cannot attend please let us know and we can offer your place to someone else. Book now.

Not ready for this group yet? Join our mailing list to hear about other free events.

Christmas Online Art Club

The return of our online art club in October and November was a great success.

This is a supportive, monthly, online session offering creativity and good company: A short mindful meditation and an easy art project.

Tuesday December 20th 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Early bird tickets are available at just £5.00 until seven days before the event – after that the full price is £6.50.

“I really enjoyed tonight’s session. Thanks very much. Lovely to see some familiar faces and meet some new people.”

Linda

Connect with others, and discover new ways of practising self-care through easy art and mindfulness exercises. Practice being here in the present moment, and accept where you are right now, without self-judgement.

We start with a brief chat about how everyone is feeling*, then a short guided mindfulness session, followed by a simple art activity that anyone can do. We offer a different art project each session. Our mission is to make mindfulness more fun! We’re not teaching art techniques, we’re just here to play. (*You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to.)

“Thank you so much for bringing back mindful art online. I’m going through a lot at the moment and would have spent tonight in tears if it wasn’t for you guys, but instead did something productive and calming.”

Becky

You will need some felt tip pens, some plain paper and an (optional) cup of tea or coffee.

You will also need to download Zoom, free video-conferencing software, to your computer, tablet or smart phone, before the day. https://zoom.us

After payment you will receive an email from Eventbrite saying, “Check the event page for all the information you need to join.” The link in that email will take you to a page with the Zoom invite. *Check your spam folder, notifications folder or promotions tab for the email!*

Ticket sales end 10 minutes before the event starts.

Early bird tickets are available at just £5.00 until 12th December – after that the full price is £6.50.

Book your place at our online art club now.

“Thank you Peggy and Emma for being back online!”

Debby

Don’t miss out. Join our Facebook group for more special events and offers https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulArtClub

Not ready to join us online? Download free mindful art activities instead.

November Online Art Club

The return of our online art club in October was a great success.

“Halloween special from the comfort of your own home through Zoom. What a lovely session, thank you all. My kids loved it.”

Kerry

This is a supportive, monthly, online session offering creativity and good company: A short mindful meditation and an easy art project.

Last Tuesday of the month 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Early bird tickets are available at just £5.00 until seven days before the event – after that the full price is £6.50.

“I really enjoyed tonight’s session. Thanks very much. Lovely to see some familiar faces and meet some new people.”

Linda

Connect with others, and discover new ways of practising self-care through easy art and mindfulness exercises. Practice being here in the present moment, and accept where you are right now, without self-judgement.

We start with a brief chat about how everyone is feeling*, then a short guided mindfulness session, followed by a simple art activity that anyone can do. We offer a different art project each session. Our mission is to make mindfulness more fun! We’re not teaching art techniques, we’re just here to play. (*You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to.)

“Thank you so much for bringing back mindful art online. I’m going through a lot at the moment and would have spent tonight in tears if it wasn’t for you guys, but instead did something productive and calming.”

Becky

You will need some felt tip pens, some plain paper and an (optional) cup of tea or coffee.

You will also need to download Zoom, free video-conferencing software, to your computer, tablet or smart phone, before the day. https://zoom.us

After payment you will receive an email from Eventbrite saying, “Check the event page for all the information you need to join.” The link in that email will take you to a page with the Zoom invite. *Check your spam folder, notifications folder or promotions tab for the email!*

Ticket sales end 10 minutes before the event starts.

Early bird tickets are available at just £5.00 until 15th November – after that the full price is £6.50.

Book your place at our online art club now.

“Thank you Peggy and Emma for being back online!”

Debby

Don’t miss out. Join our Facebook group for more special events and offers https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulArtClub

Not ready to join us online? Download free mindful art activities instead.

Free Halloween Art Session

Art Session Replay With Printable Activity

Want an easy way to learn mindfulness?
Want to try art for self care?
Want to feel connected to others, but missed our online art session last night?

A replay of yesterday’s online art session is now available as a video, or a sound file to download and listen like a podcast while you make art.

This fifteen minute video gives you a taster of what happens at Mindful Art Club, and offers a short guided mindfulness session, and a themed mindful colouring exercise.

Here’s what people on Facebook said about it:

“Halloween special from the comfort of your own home through Zoom. What a lovely session, thank you all. My kids loved it.” – Kerry

“I really enjoyed tonight’s session. Thanks very much. Lovely to see some familiar faces and meet some new people.” – Linda

“Thank you so much for bringing back mindful art online. I’m going through a lot at the moment and would have spent tonight in tears if it wasn’t for you guys, but instead did something productive and calming.” – Becky

“Thank you Peggy and Emma for being back online!” – Debby

The Halloween replay and printables are only available until 31st October, so sign up now!

Yes please, send me free stuff!

* indicates required

If you want to join us next month there is no art experience required! Friendly and informal. Just grab a coffee and join in. Last Tuesday of the month 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Early bird tickets are available at just £5.00, until seven days before the event. After that the full price is £6.50. So don’t miss out!

Book now for our Online Mindful Art Club

We look forward to seeing you next month.

Peggy and Emma

PS. Share your finished Halloween colouring pages in our Mindful Art Club Facebook group. We’d love to see what you do.

How Volunteering Helped Me Heal

My Story

I’ve been volunteering for Mindful Art Club for about two years. My volunteering includes; attending the Annual General Meetings, brainstorming ideas, participating in creating an eight week mindful art course, driving, being a stall holder at promotional and networking events such as Plympton Midsummer Festival at Plympton Castle, Plympton Health and Wellbeing Event at Rees Centre Wellbeing Hub, and Plympton Royal British Legion Family Open Day. I am now a participant in a stakeholder design group with Plymouth University helping to evaluate activities provided by Mindful Art Club and the benefit to session participants.

I found Mindful Art Club at a really difficult time in my life and being a part of the community for several years has helped me to heal, recover and grow. I’ve chosen to volunteer to give something back and share my belief that practicing mindfulness, being creative and being your true self in a welcoming and safe space can really enrich and improve your life!

By volunteering I’ve gained mindfulness techniques that I now practice regularly to improve and sustain my health and wellbeing; It’s brought creativity into my life; I’ve reclaimed my confidence and it’s given me a sense of belonging and purpose; I’ve made genuine friends, we support each other through the ups and downs and we also have lots of days out and fun!

If you’re thinking you’d like to be part of this great team and have time to spare to volunteer then just go for it!!! 

Joanna Chalmers

New: Recovery Art Club

Has your drinking started to worry you?

Is using drugs causing problems in your life?

Are you already in recovery but want to connect with others?

Recovery Art Club is a free, weekly group at Moments Cafe in Plymouth city centre. The group is upstairs in the Arthur Read room and will be running for six months.

Starts: Tuesday 6th September 2022, 1.30pm – 3.00pm

Moments Café, 69a New George Street, Plymouth, PL1 1RJ

Even if you can’t decide whether you have a problem or not, you are welcome to come along. There is no art experience required! Friendly and informal. Just grab a coffee and join in.

Connect with others and discover new ways of practising self-care through easy art and mindfulness exercises. Practice being here in the present moment, and accept where you are right now, without self-judgement. We will also be inviting some inspiring guest speakers to these groups, to talk about addiction and recovery.

The group is hosted by Emma Sprawson and Peggy Melmoth. They are the founders of Mindful Art Club, and have a background of working for many years in addiction treatment centres in Plymouth.

Places are free thanks to funding from an OPCC Community Grant from Devon Community Foundation, but booking is essential as we expect this group to be popular.

Mindful Art Session

We start with a brief chat about how everyone is feeling, then a short guided mindfulness session, followed by a simple art activity that anyone can do. Our mission is to make mindfulness more fun! We’re not teaching art techniques, we’re just here to play.

Places are limited, so if you cannot attend please let us know and we can offer your place to someone else. Book now.

Not ready for this group yet? Join our mailing list to hear about other free events.

Unique Offer For Your Service Users

Do you manage a team?

Do you offer a support service?

Are you interested in reducing stress and boosting mental health?

You’re going to love our six week course!

Doodle Your Recovery is a six week mindful art course that boosts mental health and reduces social isolation, or bonds existing teams together. The offer includes two facilitators and all art materials. We have previously provided this course to organisations such as Devon Recovery Learning Community, Devon Mind, Positive People Pluss and The Sunflower Women’s Centre.

After the lockdown I felt very isolated and found it difficult to relate to others. Coming to Mindful Art Club has helped me feel reconnected with others.

Course participant

Contact us today to discuss whether this would be a good fit for your organisation.

Or read more: Doodle Your Recovery

Book Now: One Day Retreat

It’s almost summer, and we are excited to announce the return of our outdoor retreats, on Sunday 3rd July. Join us for a day of laughter, conversation, mindfulness and art, surrounded by the peacefulness of nature. If you enjoy our weekly mindful art groups you will love our full day of relaxing activities.

  • Guided mindfulness with Emma
  • Qi Gong with Lee
  • Simple art activities with Peggy
  • Nature walk with everyone!
  • Lunch, tea, coffee and cake included

Read more: Mindful Art Retreats

These always sell out, so book soon if you would like a place. If you work in any kind of support services, we also offer these to organisations to improve your clients mental health. Alternatively book a retreat for your staff wellbeing. Contact us to find out more.

Five Senses Grounding Exercise

  • Feeling stressed or unfocussed?
  • No time for mindfulness?
  • But you need a quick break?

Try this 3 minute recording now.

Easily tune into your five senses

Focus on the environment around you

Let go of unwanted thoughts

Bring yourself back to the present moment

I woke up one morning feeling very disconnected from life. I looked at my emails and found Emma’s recording of the five steps of mindfulness. After playing it I felt much better and able to do things with the day.

Mindful Art Club participant

This guided mindfulness recording features Emma Sprawson, (voiceover) and Lee Squires playing the tongue drum, a steel instrument with a soft meditative sound quality.

Buy Now

Only 99p!

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Every purchase helps to support our social enterprise, so that we can offer our service to the people who need it most.