New Research Shows Health and Social Benefits of Mindful Art Club

A new research study has revealed significant social benefits, and improvements to mental health, can be measured in those attending a community art group. The research has been led by Dr Helen Lloyd, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Plymouth, in collaboration with two researchers; Abbie Scott BSc, and Rachel Mullee BSc. The research project was co-designed by a committee which included art club participants, art club volunteers, and the Mindful Art Club directors Peggy Melmoth and Emma Sprawson.

The research was funded by the university’s Get Involved Awards, and the findings were presented at an event at the university on Friday 12th May 2023.

Watch now:

The University of Plymouth used a mix of methods to assess qualitative and quantitative data involving the service-user opinion. They concluded in May 2023:

Our creative activities provide a distraction from negative thoughts and social anxiety. Our art encourages ‘flow’- a relaxing empowering experience- and attending Mindful Art Club can boost confidence and self-esteem while reducing social isolation.

Participants made statistically significant improvements in their mood from attending our sessions. Attendance at Mindful Art club also improved participants’ level of social connect, facilitated emotional regulation strategies and supported positive mental wellbeing.

After presenting our findings we enjoyed drinks and nibbles, and meeting other community organisations who had partnered with academic researchers on different projects, funded by the Get Involved Awards.

Our Offer

We can bring Mindful Art Club into your organisation as a one-off wellbeing session, or a six week course. These can be delivered online or in person. To get proven results for your staff or service users contact us today.

Peggy Melmoth, Kerry Evans, Emma Sprawson, Dr Helen Lloyd, Abbie Scott.

Wellness Day: 1st April

A collaboration brought to you by Pillars of Wellness and Wellbeing and the Mindful Art Club, this wellness day will provide sessions to assist you on your journey to wellness. A retreat-style day for anyone wanting to try new practices to help them on their healing path.

Pillars of Wellness and Wellbeing are a local organisation offering practical advice on ways to improve wellbeing.

Lauren from PWW says, “There are many things we can do to improve our mental and physical health that sit outside of the main stream and we understand that these things can often be out of reach for many. Mental health issues can affect anyone, but there are so many things we can do to bring a sense of relief at difficult times. The activities throughout the day have been carefully selected to provide a nourishing and restful experience, with practitioners who are highly experienced in their fields. This event will include sessions in yoga, qigong, sound healing, breathwork, meditation and a talk about the importance of good nutrition. Come along, meet new people, try something new and enjoy a day of wellbeing-focused activities.”

This event by Pillars of Wellness & Wellbeing CIC and Mindful Art Club CIC is at Devonport Guildhall, Ker St, Devonport, Plymouth PL1 4EL

To book your place follow this link, scroll down to ‘Free Ticket +Contribution’ (write a price) and input your contribution as zero (unless you want to donate). Although the top line says free tickets are sold out, please be reassured this is not the case.

Book now for Wellness Day.

How to Get News From the Devon Mental Health Alliance

We were pleased to meet with Tom Cox from the Devon Mental Health Alliance recently, to find out about the work that they do, and share with him our own work at Mindful Art Club.

The Devon Mental Health Alliance (DMHA) is a partnership between six organisations dedicated to providing support for people experiencing challenges with their mental health. The goal of the Alliance is to improve access to services and identify new opportunities to support people across all of Devon’s communities, using a collaborative approach that reaches across and brings together partners from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors.

The Devon Mental Health Alliance blog features regular articles about organisations working in Devon who are supporting mental health. Did you see the one about Nicky from Marbles Lost and Found CIC? Sign up to their newsletter today and you will soon see an article appearing about Mindful Art Club! Sign up now.

Groups Cancelled: 9th December

We will be out of office on Friday 9th December, attending a funeral. The following groups will not take place:

10.00am Sunflower Womens’ Centre

1.00pm Moments Cafe

Groups will be back running again as usual next week.

Peggy and Emma

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.

[Video] Wellbeing Day at Plymouth University

On Saturday 26th November we held a wellness day in collaboration with the WEA, Pillars of Wellness & Wellbeing CIC and POP Collectives funding.

The day offered stalls, workshops and speakers, and entry was free. We were pleased to be working with Lauren Packham from Pillars of Wellness and Wellbeing to organise this event at University of Plymouth, in the Roland Levinsky building.

Talks included qi gong, nature, nutrition, lived experience and stress management. Workshops included Mindful Art Club, qi gong, a sound bath, yoga and a guided meditation with David Rees from Here to Live Life.

“As the world opened up again last year, Mindful Art Club helped me to open up.”
Chris, a member of the Friday group at Moments Cafe

In this video Peggy, Emma, Chris and Dave explain the impact of art club, at the wellbeing day.

Don’t miss our next free wellbeing event. Sign up to our mailing list now.

Wellbeing Day Itinerary: 26th November

This Saturday 26th November we are hosting a wellbeing day in collaboration with the WEA, Pillars of Wellness & Wellbeing CIC and POP Collectives funding.

The day will offer stalls, workshops and speakers, and entry is free. We are pleased to be working with Lauren Packham from Pillars of Wellness and Wellbeing to organise this event.

Wellness Day

A full day of wellness focused talks and workshops, with stallholders in wellbeing-related fields.

Location: University of Plymouth, the Roland Levinsky building.

Date: 26th November 2022

AGENDA FOR THIS SATURDAY.

This is an all-day event and we recommend committing to the whole day to get the most out if it.

9.30 OPEN

10.00 TALK Lee Squires – Qi Gong

10.20 BREAK

10.40 WORKSHOP Mindful Art Club creative session, qigong and sound bath

12.00 TALK Kate Nicholls (Wylder) – Nature

12.15 TALK Duncan – Nutrition

12.30 BREAK

12.45 TALK Lived experience talk

1.00 TALK Jay Unwin – mental and physical fitness, wellbeing and stress management

1.20 LUNCH

2.00 VIDEO Michael Allison – Polyvagal theory

2.30 YOGA Jo Thyssen – The Yoga Loft

3.30 MEDITATION David Rees – Here to live Life

Book Now.

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

“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

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.

Wellbeing Day: 26th November

Save the Date! Saturday 26th November we are hosting a wellbeing day in collaboration with the WEA, Pillars of Wellness & Wellbeing CIC and POP Collectives funding.

The day will offer stalls, workshops and speakers, and entry is free. We are pleased to be working with Lauren Packham from Pillars of Wellness and Wellbeing to organise this event.

Wellness Day

A full day of wellness focused talks and workshops, with stallholders in wellbeing-related fields.

Location: Universty of Plymouth, the Roland Levinsky building.

Date: 26th November 2022

This is an event for anyone looking to make positive changes to their lives. So many of us have struggled over the last couple of years. Mental health services are at breaking point, and you may find you are either ‘not sick enough’ to get help, or you are on an extremely long waiting list. But there are many things we can do to help ourselves, and coming to this event could provide you with a valuable piece of information that could really help you and your wellbeing.

You will hear talks given by specialistss in their fields and you will have the opportunity to meet with various service providers of wellness and wellbeing services.

We have been fortunate enough to receive grant finding, which means we can make the event completely free (tickets would be sold for £35 each if this was not the case). However, you can donate if you wish – donations will go to the Plymouth Samaritans. Just enter the amount you wish to donate when booking (you can enter £0 if you do not wish to donate), or you can give on the day.

Booking is not essential but is advised if you want to attend for the full day (highly recommended!). We kindly ask that you do not book unless you will 100% be attending.

We also have a FREE LUNCH available for the first 50 people who book.

By registering in advance (and of course, attending!), you will be entered into the prize draw to win one of the fantastic prizes. You will need to attend to be entered into the prize draw, so be sure to give us your name and email address on the way in.

We will have four presentations on the following topics and how they can have a positive impact and play a key role in mental health and wellbeing:

1) Creativity

2) Qi Gong

3) Nutrition

4) Nature

There will also be a short video on polyvagal theory which explains how we can utilise this to have a positive imapct on our bodies. Trauma and stress are held in the body, and the vagus nerve is pivitol in releasing them.

Mindful Art club will deliver a creative workshop and qi gong session and we will have a yoga class followed by a meditation session in the latter part of the day.

Book Now.

New: Online Art Club

Back by popular demand: A supportive, monthly, online session offering creativity and good company: A short mindful meditation and an easy art project.

No art experience required! Friendly and informal. Just grab a coffee and join in. Hosted by art club founders Peggy Melmoth and Emma Sprawson.

Last Tuesday of the month 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Our first event will be a spook-tacular Halloween session! Early bird tickets are available at just £5.00 until October 18th – after that the full price is £6.50.

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

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

Ticket sales end 10 minutes before the event starts.

Book your place at our online art club now.

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

Boost your mental health today by downloading free mindful art activities at our website https://mindfulartclub.co.uk

Tag: News