CreativiTEA

Overall aims and objectives CreativiTEA offers a valuable opportunity for local people, resident in Waltham Forest, London, to meet and share their life experiences/feelings through image/art making and discussion. It is not a workshop/art class where technical skill/art techniques are taught, no qualification is sought and it is not a Continual Professional Development course. Instead it offers a supportive environment whereby art/image making can evolve free from aesthetic judgement. CreativiTEA is not designed as a traditional Art Therapy group either but rather it is a therapeutic and expressive intervention using art making to facilitate communication. The most simple paint mark or manipulation of a piece of clay can offer a meaningful form of self-expression and communication that is unique to that individual. Each session will be centred on a theme, with a main exercise, an opening and closing exercise and talking/sharing time. Refreshments and biscuits will be available. Potential benefits of participation: • To explore life events and transitions • To safely release 'bottled up' emotions • To communicate using a non-verbal means of expression and/or to use imagery as a focused channel for discussion • To gain a sense of freedom of expression and to have fun by being able to ‘play’ with art materials, images and constructions • To gain support and increase understanding through conversing with others who may be experiencing similar feelings and/or life journeys • To increase self-confidence, gain greater self-awareness and enhance self-esteem • To challenge oneself and to gain a sense of achievement by doing this • To be given an opportunity to express feelings that maybe too confusing, frightening, overwhelming to verbalize • To help counteract social isolation and to build positive new relationships • To further encourage local residents to utilise their local library facilities