Book Now: One Day Retreat

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 9, 2022April 2, 2022

Last Chance: 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?

Limited tickets still available for our next eight-week Mindful Art Wellbeing Course.

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

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.

April 4, 2022April 2, 2022

New Course: Devon Mind

Learn to practice relaxation exercises and art for self-care in May at Devon Mind’s new offices in Plymouth city centre. This free, six week course is starting on 23rd May 2022 but places are limited.

Each session includes five minutes of guided mindfulness, five minutes of mindful drawing, a simple art project, and the opportunity to chat and relax.

Create Your Recovery is a six week course giving people the opportunity to share their feelings, practice mindfulness, create art, relax and chat, it also:

Improves mental health
Improves social connection
Teaches new skills (relaxation exercises and art for self care).

We are Devon Mind, your local mental health charity. We’ve been fighting for mental health in Devon for over 35 years with our campaigning and support services.
DevonMind.com

Like all local Minds, they are an independent charity affiliated with the national Mind association.

Devon Mind’s recovery courses and workshops are all designed to support you to develop positive lifestyles and choices. Visit their website for details on how to book your place on Create Your Recovery

To get a reminder about this course and other Mindful Art Club events in the future sign up to our mailing list.

March 21, 2022April 3, 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

March 21, 2022March 18, 2022

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.

March 14, 2022March 13, 2022

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.

March 5, 2022March 5, 2022

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.

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.

February 25, 2022March 1, 2022

Plympton Art Course Improves Mental Health

We recently offered a six week course at Plympton Guildhall, called ‘Doodle Your Recovery’ – thanks to funding from Devon Recovery Learning Community.

Initial feedback indicates that one hundred percent of the participants enjoyed the course. When asked what they had learned on the course people wrote:

To relax and just let creativity flow
Mindfulness
To breathe better
Empathy
To give time to myself
Communication
How to think of myself as well as others
To not dwell on problems so much
To express feelings through art
That I am not alone and it’s OK to feel how I feel

Some suggestions to make the course better included:

Maybe more meditation
Qi Gong
Name badges
Increase it to two hours, with a break

One hundred percent of survey respondents said they would recommend the course to other people.

If you would like to try using creativity to improve your mental health we will be at The Brook Inn, 33 Longbrook Street, Plympton, PL7 1NJ from Thursday 3rd March 2022.