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.
A Year in the Making: Our Art Exhibition Opens This May
A year ago, a group of women walked through the doors of The Sunflower Women’s Centre not knowing quite what to expect. Some were on waiting lists for therapy. Some were navigating recovery. Some just needed somewhere to be.
What happened next is about to go on the walls.
The Exhibition
We are so proud to announce that our art exhibition opens at Leadworks in Stonehouse, Plymouth, on Friday, 15th May and runs until 20th May. Every piece on display was created by a Mindful Art Club participant, as part of a twelve-month project funded by the Livewell Foundation, in partnership with Greenspace Community Hub, Gifted Women, Sunflower Women’s Centre and Leadworks Projects CIC.
This is not just an art exhibition. It is proof of what happens when women feel safe enough to create.
Come to the Opening Night
We would love you to join us for a very special free opening night on Friday, 15th May. Doors open at 7 pm, with performances beginning at 7.30 pm.
The evening includes live acoustic music from local songwriter Abi Bee, poetry from established female poets and newcomers to the scene, and personal stories from Plymouth women about how mindful art has helped them through some of life’s hardest chapters.
There will be plenty of time to mingle, browse the exhibition and meet the artists themselves.
In Their Own Words
Ellen Wilton, who attended our weekly sessions, put it better than we ever could:
“I’ve been fighting for therapy for years. Some things in life are only meant to be said to a professional, like a therapist. So while I was on a waiting list, I showed up at Mindful Art Club. I cried. I identified with people. I got the warmest welcome from Emma and Peggy. I left having not felt the one thing I thought I would encounter: judgement. My life has improved in so many ways because of mindful art.”
How to Come Along
The opening night is free. If you would like to come, please register via Eventbrite so we know to expect you. Any donations on Eventbrite, or on the night, go directly towards supporting more people in Plymouth through our ongoing programme.
Leadworks, 170 Rendle Street, Stonehouse, PL1 1TP. Doors open 7 pm, performances from 7.30pm.
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.
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.
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.
Did you know that inner calm is just a four minute walk away from Plymouth’s St Andrews Cross? Join us at the Unitarian Church hall, near Catherine Street, for our NEW women’s art group; a welcoming space to ease anxiety, slow down, and reconnect with yourself. Supported by Devon Community Foundation’s end VAWG fund.
Due to some recent timetable changes there will be no Mindful Art Clubs at the Sunflower Women’s Centre for the rest of August. Join our mailing list to be first to hear about the free community art sessions starting in September in various Plymouth venues.
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ANNOUNCEMENT: This September we are inviting creative and openminded people like you to overcome anxiety and find peace through mindful art. Enter your email above to get your invitation to our next free sessions, both in person and online.
Mindful Masterpieces: A Relaxing Online Art Experience
Unleash Your Creativity – No Experience Required!
This is not your typical Paint and Sip event! Mindful Masterpieces is an exclusive and intimate online workshop where you’ll use watercolour to recreate a famous painting – all while embracing mindfulness and creativity in a supportive space.
Guided by Peggy Melmoth and Emma Sprawson, experienced mental health professionals and passionate artists, you’ll enjoy a unique experience that blends art, relaxation, and self-care.
What to Expect:
A warm and welcoming check-in to connect with yourself and others
A guided mindful meditation to ease into a creative flow
An introduction to mindful drawing to free yourself from self-judgement
A step-by-step live painting session inspired by masters like Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, and Monet
The joy of creating a masterpiece you’ll actually want to hang on your wall!
Why Join?
No pressure, just fun: Mindful techniques help you relax and enjoy the process
Expert guidance: Led by two BA (Hons) degree-qualified, professional artists
Limited spots available: Small groups for an intimate and interactive experience
The ultimate “me-time”: A creative escape from daily stress, at home, with the drink of your choice!
Prioritise yourself and book your ticket now! Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today and let’s create something beautiful together.
Mindful Art Club is to present an art exhibition at Leadworks, Plymouth, on display 21st – 27th February 2025. This event is free to attend and includes an opening night with entertainment and music on Friday 21st February, 7.00pm – 9.00pm. The artwork on display is a collection of pieces created by Mindful Art Club participants and is a culmination of an 18 month addiction recovery group project. It’s funded by the Peoples Health Trust.
A former drug dealer from Devonport, who took up mindful art while on probation, is to be featured in a Plymouth art exhibition, at Leadworks, supported by People’s Health Trust, writes the Plymouth Chronicle.
If you (or the people you work with) are free on Friday afternoons, we’d love you to join us in our new venue, Burgess Hall, behind the Unitarian Church in Plymouth city centre. Each 90 minute session includes five minutes of guided mindfulness, five minutes of mindful drawing, a simple art project, and the opportunity to chat and relax. These sessions are funded by our Crowdfunder campaign, but if you want to donate, to help us continue delivering our service for longer, you can easily do so online.
Burgess Hall is behind the Unitarian Church accessed from Catherine Street, (next to The Treasury bar and restaurant, on Royal Parade). The first session at the new place is at 1.00pm Friday 12th April 2024.
As a reminder, we also offer these free mindful art groups:
We are pleased to have been awarded funding from Plymouth Octopus Project to host a series of workshops at Moments Café, focusing on mental health and social isolation.
This project is a collaboration between Marbles Lost and Found CIC, Moments Café and Memory Matters Hub, and Mindful Art Club CIC. We aim to provide reliable, sensitive, and non-judgemental support to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and social isolation, and help people develop coping strategies for life’s challenges. Our project will give our participants the confidence, skills and support to improve their lives and be more connected to their community.
Moments Café, in New George Street, Plymouth, acts as a subconscious support network for a lot of people. The café attracts many people who are vulnerable, and they are supported through open conversations and a non-judgemental atmosphere.
Grass roots organisations like ours are essential for bringing our community together with no waiting lists and without finances being a barrier. We will all continue with our workshops, but will share information, best practice, and sign-post beneficiaries to each other’s groups. All three organisations share the same goals, and by coming together we will learn new skills and share knowledge to be able to improve our services and reach more people.
