Category: Weekly Sessions

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Art Club Delivers Vital Substance Misuse Support

Peggy, Emma and Julie holding a large cheque from The National Lottery.

The National Lottery Awards for All fund has supported Mindful Art Club to deliver two years of peer support groups at The Harbour Centre, Plymouth. Harbour is Plymouth’s largest independent drug and alcohol charity and offers advice, information and treatment for addiction.

The weekly groups at The Harbour Centre, hosted by mental health professionals Peggy Melmoth and Emma Sprawson, were free to attend, and were not limited to Harbour clients, but instead were open to anyone who was struggling with unhealthy habits or coping strategies.

Addiction is not always about using a substance; it could be compulsively engaging in an activity such as sex, video gaming, shopping, gambling, over-eating, over-working, or using social media and the internet.

Jocella Peck, Harbour Operations Manager, said, “It has been a real privilege hosting mindful art for the last two years. We will certainly continue to market this to people using our services. Stay in touch. If there is anything else in the future we can support or work with you on please feel free to contact us. “

Peggy and Emma met while working in a Plymouth residential addiction treatment centre and set up their social enterprise in 2019 to encourage connection with others, teaching new ways of practising self-care through easy art and mindfulness exercises. They also invited some inspiring guest speakers to the groups to talk about their personal experiences of recovery.

“Emma and Peggy delivered mindful art peer support sessions for Harbour for the last two years, bringing warmth, creativity and genuine compassion to the people we support. Their sessions have been about so much more than art. They created a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental space where people could express themselves, build confidence, connect with others and simply enjoy being creative. For many, the sessions became something to look forward to, a place to feel valued, accepted and part of something. 

We are incredibly grateful for the care, passion and energy Emma and Peggy have brought to Harbour. They have made a real difference to the lives of the people who took part, and their contribution will be truly missed. Thank you, Emma and Peggy, for creating a space where creativity, connection and hope could flourish.”

– Julie Howes, CEO of Harbour. 

Although this project is now completed Mindful Art Club also offer other supportive, weekly, community groups, and paint and sip evenings, in the Plymouth area. Each session starts with a brief chat about how everyone is feeling, then a short guided mindful meditation, followed by a simple art activity that anyone can do. Rather than teaching art techniques, the focus is on social connection and peer support.

They are now launching three new, weekly art groups in the city centre, supported by The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. Book a free session here: Mindful Art Club Eventbrite

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We Are on a Break!

There are no mindful art groups from 10th to 23rd August 2026.

When We Are Back

Monday 24th 10.00am — Greenbank Community Centre, open to all

Wednesday 26th 1.30pm — Harbour Centre, addiction recovery group

Thursday 27th, 1.00pm — Plymouth Central Library, (upstairs) addiction recovery group

Friday 28th 00pm — Greenspace, 30 Mutley Plain, women’s group

All these groups are free to attend, thanks to our funders, The Mutley Greenbank Trust, The National Lottery, and Devon Community Foundation.  

[Book your free place on Eventbrite]

While We’re Away

There are now 76 videos on our YouTube channel – most of them are less than three minutes long. So if you want a quick antidote to doom-scrolling subscribe to our channel, and enjoy mindful recordings, radio and TV interviews, clips of mindful art sessions, tips to manage anxiety, and videos of Emily the Zen Cat. Grab a pen and paper, get doodling, and enjoy the Mindful Art Club vibes in the comfort of your own home! Search: MindfulArtClubUK

Date For Your Diary

Our next Mindful Paint and Sip evening is pencilled in for 1st October, at Steel Brew, Royal William Yard.

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We Made a Film – But We Need Your Thoughts

Did you see this short documentary about Mindful Art Club, the story of how it started, and what it’s meant to the people who come along each week? A few regular members shared their own stories in it, and it was kind of emotional.

The documentary was made by the wonderfully talented Drew, at The Hundred Hands, who’s now asking us a question we can’t answer alone: What was the response? Did it move you, resonate with you, make you think differently about art, community, or mental health?

If you have a minute, comment below and tell us:

  • What stood out to you most
  • How it made you feel
  • Whether you’d share it with someone else… and who

We will pass it on to Drew, and it genuinely helps us to know if we’re telling this story right. His team crafts films and campaigns that move people. They believe honest, cinematic storytelling has the power to connect communities, inspire audiences, and help organisations, artists, and brands make a lasting impact.

Check out the film now, and leave us a comment below.

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A Quick Antidote to Doom-Scrolling

There are now 76 videos on our YouTube channel – most of them are less than three minutes long. So if you want a quick antidote to doom-scrolling subscribe to our channel, and enjoy mindful recordings, BBC radio and TV interviews, clips of mindful art sessions, tips to manage anxiety, and short videos of Emily the Zen Cat. Grab a pen and paper, get doodling, and enjoy those relaxing Mindful Art Club vibes in the comfort of your own home! Search: MindfulArtClubUK

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She Read This Poem, and it Just Went Quiet

We first met Zoe Reilly when we were on a year-long Real Ideas business start-up programme. Zoe is an advocate for women and a campaigner for ending Violence Against Women and Girls. She was a Green Party candidate for Plympton Chaddlewood in the recent local elections. So she seemed like the perfect person to invite to speak at our launch party for our Women’s Art Exhibition at Leadworks.

Zoe took to the stage and delivered something that made the room go quiet, and listen. This poem is for every woman who’s been told to sit down, speak up, be quiet, stand up, and still got back up anyway. You are not broken. You are not behind. You are a phoenix, lying in wait.

Our women’s group meets weekly in Plymouth, at Greenspace, 30 Mutley Plain; a safe space for peer support, creativity, and connection. No pressure. No performance. Just real women, showing up for each other.

Follow Mindful Art Club on Eventbrite to find out when and where our next sessions are happening near you.

Survival to Sovereignty – Zoe Reilly

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Plymouth’s First MINDFUL Paint and Sip is Coming.

So, yeah, this isn’t your average paint night.

Alongside the painting and sipping of something, there’ll be a check-in and a moment of mindfulness – the extra elements that give Mindful Art Club its unusually warm, supportive atmosphere. Think less artistry, more permission to just slow down and enjoy the process.

What We’re Painting

For our first session, we’ll be painting Smeaton’s Tower – the much-loved landmark on Plymouth Hoe, and a symbol of the city that many of us call home. It felt like the perfect subject for a first gathering: something local, recognisable, and a little bit iconic.

About Mindful Art Club

Since 2019, hundreds of people have nervously arrived at Mindful Art Club and left feeling calmer, more connected and happier. We’ve built something we’re genuinely proud of – the friendships, the sense of belonging, the magic of making art together. This is the evening version of that experience.

Why “Founding Member”?

Join us for this first event and we’ll guarantee you a founding member price for every session we run at Olive and Twist in the next twelve months. You’ll also get priority booking before we open to anyone else. This is Version 1.0 – we think it’s going to grow into something really special. We’ll be asking for feedback on this first event, so that we can improve what we offer.

Spaces are Limited

If this sounds like your kind of evening, grab a spot today. And if for any reason the event doesn’t go ahead, you’ll receive a full refund – no quibbles.

The reduced price Founding Member ticket sales end on April 22nd 2026.

Get Tickets

Stay in the Loop

We also have a WhatsApp group for our Paint and Sip – it’s not a busy group giving notifications all the time, just a way for us to let you know when the next painting evening is happening. Join us here: Mindful Art Evenings

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The Surprising Benefits of Neurographic Art

We recently had the pleasure of running a special Mindful Art Club session with Gifted Women, a charity that supports women with multiple disadvantage to access employment opportunities.

The wonderful afternoon was filled with creativity, community and calm using a Mindful Art Club favourite, neurographic art – a gentle drawing technique that encourages relaxation through the process rather than the focus of a final product.

What is neurographic art?

Neurographic art is a therapeutic practice developed by psychologist Pavel Piskarev, as a way to help people process emotions and reduce stress through creative expression!

The idea is simple, instead of trying to draw something ‘perfectly’ (whatever that means anyway!) you draw free-flowing lines, shapes, and patterns that represent your thoughts and feelings. As you add curves, colours, and connecting lines, the picture begins to evolve often in ways you didn’t expect!

Neurographic art is about letting your mind relax while your hand moves freely, simply enjoying the process of creating. The process is recognised for being calming and meditative, helping to quiet those busy thoughts and bring a sense of peace and focus. It’s clear to see why we love neurographic art so much at Mindful Art Club!

Mindfulness and empowerment

Collaborations like this with Gifted Women show how mindfulness and creativity can support mental health, confidence, and emotional wellbeing, especially for women rebuilding their lives and careers. Peggy and Emma were inspired by the openness and creativity in the room, as everyone approached the exercise differently. It was so wonderful to see how mindful art allows for both individuality and connection.

We’re so grateful to have shared this time together and we look forward to more creative partnerships that help people find calm, confidence, and connection through art. Click here to find out more about Gifted Women’s work.

Be sure to like and subscribe to our new YouTube channel and have a look at some of the wonderful art created in this session! Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and get ready to enjoy our fun tips and tools for managing anxiety with mindful art. 

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New Women’s Mindful Art Club!

We are pleased to share that as of Friday 17th October, our new Women’s Mindful Art Club has officially launched! Supported by the Livewell Foundation, in the colourful new venue of Greenspace on Mutley Plain, our new group offers women the chance to unwind, express themselves, and connect through mindful art.

Get your free ticket here.

Each session combines art, mindfulness, and gentle conversation, helping members to relax, reduce stress, and nurture their creativity in a safe, friendly environment. And of course, there’s always plenty of laughter too!

We’re happy to be hosting this new group upstairs at Greenspace, 30 Mutley Plain, a welcoming and inclusive community venue that perfectly fits our mindful, creative approach. You can find out more about Greenspace here!

If you’ve been thinking about joining one of our sessions but felt a bit nervous, we think this is the perfect time to give it a try. Because the group is brand new, everyone is finding their feet together which means you won’t be the only new face! It’s a lovely opportunity to connect with others, share a few laughs, and start something positive for your mental health and wellbeing in a supportive space.

Member inspiration!

The last session at the Unitarian Church hall was inspired by a suggestion from one of our members, leading to a really playful afternoon.

We think this video perfectly captures the light-hearted spirit of the women’s group. Instead of adding background music, group members decided to make their own soundtrack – yes, a spontaneous tune broke out in Mindful Art Club! We’re not expecting a chart-topping single anytime soon, but the joy was absolutely contagious and we think this provides a great insight into the warm and inviting nature of Mindful Art Club.

The goal of Mindful Art Club isn’t creating ‘perfect’ artwork, it’s about being present, having fun, and connecting with others. The group’s laughter and creativity in this video show just how art and mindfulness can support mental health while building community and confidence.

Be sure to like and subscribe to our new YouTube channel so you never miss an episode, and get ready to enjoy our fun tips and tools for managing anxiety with mindful art. 

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When One Door Closes, Another Opens

A new creative space for our Friday afternoon Women’s Group.

We’re saying goodbye to the Unitarian Hall, and hello to new beginnings above the Greenspace shop!


Have you visited this amazing community hub yet? The Greenhouse Community Project supports local artists and those overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Come and be part of something positive in Plymouth.

The Greenspace shop supports local Plymouth, artists and is also a community hub that is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by social exclusion. The Greenhouse Community Project is an independent Community Interest Company (CIC) that focuses on providing support and resources for individuals and families facing hardships such as homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, and domestic abuse.

Grab your free ticket now for this supportive art group for women, offering creativity, company, a short mindful meditation and an easy art project.

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How to Find Mindful Art Club at the Unitarian Church Hall in Plymouth

Looking for women’s art classes in Plymouth that also offer friendly company and mental health support? Mindful Art Club could be just what you need. Co-founder Peggy shows in her short video just how close the group’s venue is to the city centre — so if you’re wondering how to find Burgess Hall, here’s your step-by-step guide.

Women’s Mindful Art at Unitarian Church Hall – just three dates left!

From the City Centre to Burgess Hall

Start at St. Andrew’s Cross, right at the top of Royal Parade. From there, head down St. Andrew’s Street, next to St. Andrew’s Church. Keep walking along St. Andrew Street towards the Magistrates’ Court.

Once you reach the court, turn right, and you’ll soon see the Unitarian Church Hall (known as Burgess Hall) just around the back of the church. There’s even a handy shortcut through the nearby Baptist Church car park. In her video, Peggy makes it clear: it’s only a few minutes’ walk from Plymouth City Centre. You can also walk there from The Treasury Cafe-Bar on Royal parade, down Catherine’s Street.

Why Visit Mindful Art Club?

Mindful Art Club isn’t just an art group in Plymouth. It’s also a welcoming space for people looking for free mental health support in Plymouth. Each session combines creativity with mindfulness, offering a simple way to relax, connect with others, and boost your wellbeing.

In the video, Peggy gives us a glimpse of the friendly atmosphere as she arrives at Burgess Hall, sharing a laugh with Emma, who doesn’t really like to be on camera. It’s a reminder that the sessions are about community and fun, as much as they are about art.

Join Us

So, if you’re searching for art classes in Plymouth city centre, or a relaxed and creative form of free mental health support in Plymouth, why not come along? With this short video, finding Burgess Hall couldn’t be easier.

Like and Subscribe!

Our YouTube channel is new – this is only our second short video! Be sure to like and subscribe to our channel so you never miss an episode, and get ready to enjoy our fun tips and tools for managing anxiety with mindful art.

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

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