Plympton Lamb Feast Returns!

May 20, 2022May 20, 2022

Plympton Lamb Feast Returns!

The village of Plympton St Maurice is getting ready for the return of our popular midsummer festival on Saturday 18th June. Peggy, and volunteer Joanna, will be hosting a Mindful Art Club stall at the Lamb Feast, so come along and have a chat, have a go at some art, and see the art that has been created in our weekly groups at The Brook Inn, Plympton. You can also find out about our free art groups, evening courses, retreats and staff wellbeing sessions.

The Lamb Feast has been held for hundreds of years on the Castle Green, beside the ruins of the Norman castle. The village will be decorated with bunting, the green will be busy with food, craft, cake and plant stalls, charity stalls, swing boats, vintage cars, a dog show, a tug of war and dance displays. After two years with no festival we can’t wait for it to return!

Read more about what’s on: Midsummer Festival

Book your place at the Mindful Art Retreat, held in Plympton St Maurice, Sunday 3rd July.

Come to our free weekly art group, 11.00am on Thursday mornings at The Brook Inn, Plympton.

May 16, 2022May 24, 2022

Now Offering NHS Staff Wellbeing

Would you like to try mindfulness in your workplace?

Want your staff to feel valued and listened to?

Want to increase staff productivity and reduce sick leave?

We offer groups on line, one-off sample sessions, and a six week staff wellbeing programme. We also offer an outdoor mindful art retreat as a staff away day.

On 12th May 2022, for Mental Health Awareness Week we hosted a zoom session for NHS staff from Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

I really enjoyed the session, and am feeling very relaxed and creative. I will definitely use this drawing technique in the future. I will also try to take more time out to try and relax, and release tension. Brilliant guidance.
Lisa, NHS staff, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

Mental health difficulties are the biggest cause of sickness absence in this country (Health and Sickness Executive, 2018). So poor mental health costs employers money. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems. But major changes or challenges in life, such as bereavement, relationship problems, having a baby, debt or a workplace restructure may also affect mental health.

“The Mindful Art Club was a great session that I enjoyed participating in. The first five minutes of meditation and breathing exercises were great for me. I could feel all my worries and stresses leaving my body if only for those five minutes.”
Gary Furzeland from Clinical Engineering, and one of the hospital’s People Wellbeing Champions

Fantastic session thank you. Am feeling super chilled.
Jen, NHS staff, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

If you’d like to offer mindful art to your team contact us today!

May 14, 2022May 14, 2022

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.

April 22, 2022April 22, 2022

Marbles Lost and Found

On Tuesday 10th May 2022 at 2.00pm we will be talking about our art club at Marbles Lost and Found support group at Moments Cafe and Memories Matter Hub in New George Street, Plymouth. Come along for a friendly chat about how to boost your mental health.

Marbles Support group is so different then any other support group out there! Founder, Nicky Nurrish says,

“It not only gives you mental health support, awareness and wellbeing tips and tools, you will also meet and make friends with fellow warriors, meet experts in the field of mental health, in a non judgemental, safe space where you are listened to and heard. Each month we have a guest speaker join us to tell us and show us what support they offer, what they do and more and this upcoming group session we have the wonderful Mindful Art Club coming in to work with us. Remember if you are nervous about attending don’t be, it’s a warm and friendly environment, I can meet you beforehand. The group is a mix of disorders, mental health issues.. we have mix and mingle time, group check in time, marble news and upcoming events, guest speaker, break (with free cake and drinkies) and last part of the session we discuss together what we want to do as a group to help each other and plan a social event together. So come join us for what’s going to be a educational, supportive and most of all fun session, we are more than our mental illness remember.”

You may also like the Marbles Together Facebook group.

February 28, 2022March 1, 2022

Evening Taster Session: Book Now

Do you work during the daytimes?

Are you wishing we’d offer a one-off evening session just so that you can try it?

Want to try Qi Gong and mindful art to see if you like it?

We get that.

We’re offering a one-off evening event in Plymouth city centre on 28th March 2022. We expect these places to sell out quickly, so contact us now if you would like to reserve your place.

This two hour session includes:

Qi Gong with Lee Squires
Mindful art with Emma Sprawson
The opportunity to chat and relax
All art materials
Coffee or tea

This one-off session will give you a taste of what you can expect on our eight week wellbeing course.

How is this evening different to other mindfulness sessions?

The focus of our work is social connection and support, and the art and mindfulness come second to that. Quiet reflection takes place during the guided mindfulness, but for the majority of the session participants will be encouraged to talk.

Benefits:

Improve your mental health
Feel more socially connected
Enjoy Qi Gong mindful movement
Learn mindfulness and art for self care

Your investment: Just £19.50

Click here to reserve your place today.

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021

See you at the POP AGM?

Plymouth Octopus Project AGM 2021
POP are extending an invite to their AGM & “Voices” event on Tuesday 9 November. Mindful Art Club will be there as part of the marketplace, with a stall to explain what we do.

This year POP is celebrating the value of coming together to amplify voices. They want to hear about the amazing work and changes that have been achieved by coming together, sharing stories of community collaboration. They also want to hear from those beginning this journey. What is needed? What are the challenges? Join POP to discuss how to make Plymouth even more connected by giving a platform for different voices to not just to be amplified, but to be heard. Full information on the event and how to book can be found by clicking here.

The POP AGM 2021 & Voices Event is Tue, 9 Nov 2021 10:00 – 16:00

June 22, 2021

Art Retreat 2021 (Pictures)

Last weekend we enjoyed a day of laughter, conversation, mindfulness and art, surrounded by the peacefulness of nature.

Guided mindfulness
Qi Gong
Simple art activities
Nature walk
Delicious food

I really benefitted from the retreat. Like I said at the end, the variety and balance in the design was spot on. The group’s size also meant it felt really comfortable to share more honestly and openly. I really noticed that once one person revealed something difficult they were experiencing, it automatically gave permission for others to do the same… then that ripple effect builds trust and authenticity in the group. There’s so much power in that.

I wanted to thank you particularly for being great leaders – you are both disarming and so accessible and let the group take a natural path of development. I never felt rushed or pressured.

The day made me think about that Marianne Williamson quote… “As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others.”
Lorna (Retreat Participant)

See short videos and find out more about our mindful art retreats.

May 14, 2021

Next Retreat: 19th June

Would you like to join us for a day of laughter, conversation, mindfulness and art, surrounded by the peacefulness of nature?

Guided mindfulness
Qi Gong
Simple art activities
Nature walk

Read more: Mindful Art Retreat

On Saturday 19th June 2021 we invite you to:

Step away from daily distractions
Take some time to relax and rejuvenate
Enjoy the company of like-minded people
Rediscover your sense of inner peace

Places are limited to only eight people and we expect this to be very popular.

If you are interested book now to avoid disappointment.

The retreat takes place in the picturesque village of Plympton St Maurice, near Plymouth, in South Devon. Outdoor activities are held in public green spaces; lunch is served in the local Guildhall. Most of the event is outdoors but can be moved to our indoor venue in the case of rain.

Includes coffees, teas and lunch of crusty bread, homemade cakes and a selection of cheeses, houmous, olives and fruit.

Reserve your place now.

We can’t wait to see you this summer!

Peggy and Emma

December 17, 2020

Christmas Online Group

We are running a Christmas-themed art group on Zoom on 22nd December, but there will be no other groups for the rest of December. We are going to draw a Christmas carol, and we have to guess what carol each others pictures are! There’s no pressure to be good at drawing, it’s just a bit of fun. You can also bring your own mince pie and wear a Christmas jumper if you like. Book your place now.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been to one of our groups or retreats in this very strange year. We will be back in the New Year 2021 with an exciting new online course.

Make sure to take care of yourself this Christmas.

Best wishes from Peggy and Emma. xx

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020

MAC Awards Ceremony 2020: How to Watch

The Mindful Art Club Awards Ceremony is finally here and you can watch all the action here on our website.

This year there is a new awards ceremony on our screens, the never-before-seen Mindful Art Club awards. After an incredible, yet surprising, first year in business (Covid-19 – we are looking at you!) we wanted to thank some of the people who have helped us on our way.

The celebrations were restricted to a very small, outdoor dinner party, because of the current coronavirus restrictions. Red carpet coverage was not possible, as the nominees could not attend the event in person. The nominees were not announced prior to the event, so the winners were completely surprised by their awards!

Watch now:

Mindful Art Club Awards 2020

Best Personal Development Trainer – Nabs Mirza, Shekinah Mission

Best Community Venue Award – John Govier, The Brook Inn

Best Funding Advisor – Imogen Potter, Plymouth Octopus Project

Our Best Friend at the Harbour Centre – Jocella Peck

Best Wellbeing Networker – Roger Higman, Network of Wellbeing

Our Best Friend at The Sunflower Womens Centre – Paula Carnell

Best Newcomer 2020 – Linda Langart

Committee Member of the Year – Clare Lattimore

Culinary Award for Amazing Food and Cakes – Jamie Chapman

Most Dedicated Volunteer – Lee Squires

And You!

And of course, we could not have done it without all of our clients who have come along to our sessions in pubs, cafes, community support services, parks, fields, even Peggy’s backyard, and online. Thank you for all your donations, and thank you for the wonderful feedback we keep getting about how much Mindful Art Club helps you to feel happier and calmer. We know that many of you have also made new friends at art club. We feel connection is more important now than ever.

Find out about our new groups and events and grab some free mindful colouring pages by joining our mailing list.

You may also like: 10 Reasons to Celebrate (Despite Covid-19)

Category: One-Off Sessions