Expressive painting workshop taking place along side a drama group at the YMCA.  Using the arts to build communities within the hostel.

Setting up for a painting workshop in the brand new YMCA for 16 to 25 year olds.  Engaging vulnerably housed young people in creative activities provides opportunities for self-development and creative expression.

Running a drop in community arts workshop for Hybrid Consulting's 'Pop-up Tea Room'.  This is a truly great project, bringing people together to benefit from being creative and connecting with their community.  All ages were welcome to join in with mixed media/collage.

I always focus on creating a safe environment for expression and experimentation.  I like to encourage participants to make their own creative decisions.  Allowing people to develop their creative style by giving guidance where it's helpful but not making their choices for them.

Photography field trips are a wonderful tool which enable people with mental health issues to reconnect with ordinary life.  We took advantage of some crisp winter days in my photography sessions at Full Potential Arts.

Christmas Craft workshops for day service users of

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust.  

Using the experience of crafting to engage people in social interaction.

October 2010 and more arts and crafts workshops with
Full Potential Arts.  Glass painting and etching old vases
 and jam jars.  Building confidence by learning new skills.

September 2010 and the Womens Aid Welcome Tree is complete.

Working with residents of the womens refuge to create community cohesion.

Residents at the womens refuge created a list of words they

associated with being in this place of safety.  These words were then displayed on the leaves to welcome newly arriving residents.

Early practical stages of the Welcome Tree process.

The Godiva Festival, Coventry, creating live and interactive abstract sculpture in the kids art tent.  Children and parents alike loved seeing their litter converted in to a 'Trash Monster' as part of the ecological theme of the tent.

July 2010 jewellery making workshops at the The Oleaster Hospital.  Engaging residents with enduring mental health issues in creative activities to alleviate distress and create a sense of fun and achievement.

May 2010 working with Full Potential Arts for Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust.  The participatory arts garden project promoted ownership by involving service users at the design stage through to the painting and making.