How to Make a Gratitude Tree

We recorded a video of this project for our clients at The Harbour Centre, which is a drug and alcohol treatment service in Plymouth, UK, where we run a weekly mindful art group.

Watch now to find out:

  • How can gratitude make you feel happier, and nurtured?
  • What is the value of gratitude in recovery from addiction?
  • How can you end the day on an upbeat?

Join our Create Your Recovery Facebook group.

Watch our Facebook live stream every Monday and Wednesday at 10am.

Now we’d like to hear from you. Do you have a gratitude practice? What do you do? How does it affect your life? Share your tips in the comments below.

Mindful Drawing in 5 Minutes

Want to feel happier, calmer and more socially connected?

Do you find meditation difficult?

Do you feel like you are no good at drawing?

Our mindful drawing video is the solution you are looking for!

Grab a pen and join in with us as we try mindful drawing for five minutes.

Now we’d like to hear from you. Did you try mindful drawing? What did you notice? Leave us a comment below.

Plymouth Art Group Eases Isolation

Do you live in Plymouth and feel isolated in lockdown?

Are you feeling cut off from your social support network?

Have your usual support services been suspended while the NHS responds to the coronavirus crisis?

You may like to try watching our live-stream art group.

Our groups offer a “check in” to share how individuals are feeling, a short, guided, mindful meditation, a mindful drawing exercise, an easy art project, and an opportunity for chatting and social connection. These are an adaptation of groups we were holding in the community in pubs and cafes, before COVID-19.

We are currently, voluntarily, delivering three groups per week using Zoom video software and Facebook Live. Viewers can join in by video chat, or by commenting on Facebook.

The local services on which mental health patients rely, have been suspended as resources are diverted to deal with the virus. Many other services across the NHS have also been closed. We have gathered several written testimonials from users of our service, before and after COVID-19. who have said our continuing mindful art club as an online source of support has been vital to their mental health. Our groups have always aimed to combat social isolation.

Our online classes are already attracting hundreds of viewers and dozens of comments, with positive feedback that indicate we are succeeding in easing the sense of social isolation brought about by the current lockdown. Our first online class was broadcast live on Facebook on 18th March 2020; since then we have been getting about 1000 views per video. Our clients have reported feeling supported, and connected, enjoying the art, learning how mindfulness can calm anxiety, having time for self-awareness, and being able to chat openly without judgement. One of our clients told us,

“The group has been a god-send as it’s provided me with support on so many levels. It’s been so beneficial to my wellbeing, especially at this time of lockdown as all other lines of (cancer) support have been suspended. It’s a great source of support being able to connect with people who are also struggling with their mental health. The meditation and art has helped focus my mind and helped me to be calm and find inner peace. By the time the class has ended I feel positive and ready to take on the world knowing I am not alone.”

To join in with a live group:

  • Visit our Facebook page at 10.00 am on Monday or Wednesday
  • If you are in recovery from addiction join us on Fridays for Create Your Recovery.
  • You will need a pen, felt tips, some paper and a cup of tea or coffee
  • Watch our live Facebook video and join in with the group by typing your comments below the video
  • Optional: Join in with the video chat using Zoom, free video conferencing software. You can join in just with audio if you don’t want to be on video. Be aware that the Zoom meeting will be recorded so if you are not happy to be recorded please join us on Facebook instead of Zoom.

We look forward to seeing you at an online group soon!

How to Join us on Video Chat

We are running Mindful Art Club as an online live Facebook event, twice a week on Mondays at 10am and Wednesdays at 10am, while the UK is in lockdown due to the Corona Virus. There is also a private group on Fridays for people in recovery from addiction.

To join in with a live group:

  • Visit our Facebook page at 10.00 am on Monday or Wednesday
  • You will need a pen, felt tips, some paper and a cup of tea or coffee
  • Watch our live Facebook video and join in with the group by typing your comments below the video
  • Optional: Join in with the video chat using Zoom, free video conferencing software. Be aware that the Zoom meeting will be recorded so if you are not happy to be recorded please join us on Facebook instead of Zoom.

If you don’t want to be on video you can just join with audio only. You can download the free  video chat software Zoom, to your computer, tablet, phone or other device. We look forward to chatting with you at the next online mindful art club.

[Video] Art Club Creates Social Connections

Trainee counsellor, Susy Putnam, interviewed Emma and Peggy from Mindful Art Club, just days before the UK went into social distancing measures, because of the Corona Virus, in March 2020. Susy asked,

  • Why did you start mindful art club?
  • Do you have any stories that you could share about how it has benefited an individual?
  • Could you tell us why mindful art club, why not just an art club?
  • Can you just talk us through what a session would look like?
  • What is, ‘Taking your pen for a walk’?!

  • Like our Facebook page.
  • Set your notifications to join when we go live.

Now Emma and I would love to hear from you. What would you like to see and do in an online mindful art session? Tell us in the comments below.

Emma and I really want to know your thoughts around this, so that we can continue to support people during this time of social isolation.

Sending you lovely thoughts and a virtual hug from us both.

Peggy and Emma.