Would you be interested in joining a local skill sharing group? Are you feeling socially isolated, lonely, or maybe anxious about ‘meeting’ people, post-lockdown?
Local Essex resident, Karen Hughes, is hoping to launch ‘local creativity groups’ for the district to help with these issues, and although these projects have yet to begin, Karen is hoping residents will show their interest to help get these skill-sharing groups up and running.
CommunityAd caught up with Karen Hughes to find out the inspiration behind launching these groups and how local residents can show their interest.
Karen told us: “This project is in its early stages and hasn’t yet begun but it will initially be purely Essex-based. I’m considering setting up a regular, online creativity group. Creativity is well known to help mental health.
“It will be a small, local community of people with shared interests, giving you the opportunity to make friends, grow in confidence and learn new skills. I am a Creativity Coach, a fully accredited Transformational Life Coach, currently training in Creative Arts Therapies, and Mental Health First Aid. I set up and ran a Community Singing group in Chelmsford and Colchester for 11 years.”
“Participants will need internet access, an email address and to be fairly computer literate. Zoom Meetings will be notified by email and WhatsApp will also be used.
“Each session will have a demonstration of that week’s creative activity, to watch and follow from home, so you can bring a cuppa to the table, alongside some simple art materials, and have a chat.
“If you wish to show your artwork in the session, it will be encouraged, there will be no judgement, or negativity. The project aim is to combat social isolation or loneliness and improve mental health. By regularly enjoying creative activities online, with other local people, it is hoped members will grow in confidence and develop new friendships.
“As people get to know each other, it is hoped they will meet up, and form ‘real life’ friendships when it’s safe to do so.”