Community Outreach
The Reconnect Programme
The Reconnect Programme runs exclusively in West Berkshire residential care homes and day centres and is funded by West Berkshire Council. Courses are run over a 40 week period, with time for individual study between teaching sessions. The aim of all of our courses are to improve mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, through self expression, working towards a shared goal and the development of fine motor skills and memory function.
Part of the Reconnect Programme
Animal Art Therapy
Animal Art Therapy is a brand new course which is unique to Creative Communities and aims to bring together animal interaction with creativity.
Creative Communities will work in conjunction with pet therapy providers, local animal shelters and charities as well as private individuals who will volunteer to come in with their pets.
Each session will commence with a 30 minute animal visit, along with a short talk from the organisation/owner about the animal.
This will include a Q&A and some group discussion. When safe and appropriate there will be opportunities for learners to handle, hold and stroke the animals.
The art activity will change each week with a variation of skills and techniques being introduced which will include pencil sketching, watercolour painting, acrylic painting, pastel drawing, paper collage, 3D image making, papercraft, mixed media and working with clay.
Part of the Reconnect Programme
Words and Pictures
This course is unique in its design with the objective being to encourage learners to tell their life stories through images and words.
Each learner will be given an A3 sketchbook and each session we will cover a different element of their lives and key events in their past.
The sessions will be learner led, with some sessions based around discussion and storytelling, with other sessions based on creativity.
This course uses language and artistic techniques to explore reminiscence, self-expression, and reflection.
By the end of the course the learner will have produced their life story to treasure and share with friends and family.
Part of the Reconnect Programme
Reminiscence Through Creativity
This course uses images, scents, music and discussion to encourage learners to relate to something from their past.
There will then be an art activity for learners to make a creative record of their recollections and reminiscence.
Each session will be themed and we will involve the learners in choosing the themes at the start of the course, these might include things such as landscapes, seascapes, sport, food, familiar architecture, animals, trees, flowers, cars, boats, and seasonal images.
Learners will be able to select themes that interest them and in this way we hope this course can appeal to everyone.
Part of the Reconnect Programme
Pottery
This is a very hands-on course covering a range of different ceramic techniques. This course is excellent for developing fine motor skills.
Each week learners will be given a chunk of clay to make an object, ranging from hanging ornaments, tiles, mugs, plant pots, bowls and jewellery holders. Learners will create the object out of clay, which will then be fired and returned to the learner for painting with glazes.
Techniques covered over the duration of the course will be:
• Pinching
• Slabbing
• Coiling
• Scratching, impressing and relief
Note: This work will be taken away for a final firing at the end and returned to learners once firing in complete
Part of the Reconnect Programme
Music and Movement
This is a chair based gentle movement/exercise session where learners will be encouraged to feel the mood/tone of the music and move their bodies (gently) according to the tempo.
Sessions will start off slow and gentle with gestural performative movement being encouraged.
As the tempo increases (slightly) participants will be encouraged to free style in their chairs and if the music is familiar and if they would like to, a sing along to the music will be encouraged.
This is essentially a creative expressive movement to music session but could also be seen as a chair-based exercise session.
Part of the Reconnect Programme
Art
A more traditional Art course with a variety of different techniques covered. This course will also include an element of Art history.
Over the duration of the course learners will discuss the work of different famous artists from the modernist movement and then explore the techniques that would have been used by that artist. Learners will also extend their exploration to similar modern techniques that were not known in that time period.
Sessions will include:
• The Colour Wheel
• Pencil Sketching
• Pastel Drawing
• Watercolour painting
• Acrylic painting
• Collage
Subjects explored will be traditional subject matter such as:
• Portraits
• Landscapes
• Still Life
• Wild Life
• Abstract
Part of the Reconnect Programme
Craft
This course will cover a range of different crafts, skills, and techniques. At the start of the course the tutor will discuss preferences with the group and devise the course accordingly.
Each week a different skill/ technique will be covered. Some projects will be individual tasks and others will involve working together as a group. This course is excellent for developing fine motor skills.
Craft sessions will include, but are not limited to:
• Crochet
• Wreath making
• Card making
• Paper crafts/ paper flowers
• Needle felting
• Wire work
• Beading
• Jewellery Making
• Macrame
• Flower pressing/ botanical printing
• Wool craft/ Pom Pom making
Part of the Reconnect Programme
Flower Arranging
A one-off, 3 hour workshop delivered by a specialist Flower Arranging lecturer.
This will be a seasonal workshop and, as such, will include seasonal flowers and foliage.
Learners will work together as a group to create one stunning arrangement which can be placed in the home or day centre for everyone to enjoy.
Depending on the time of year, the tutor may also work with the group on creating small hand tied arrangements or little individual wreaths or posies.
Creative Wellbeing
Creative Communities currently offers a programme of Creative Wellbeing courses aimed at adults with special educational needs, adults with mental health challenges, parents who may be struggling and vulnerable older learners who may be isolated in rural communities.
These courses will have a big emphasis on learning new skills which are designed to improve mental, emotional, physical and social wellbeing, with an emphasis toward therapeutic art practice and engaging with others. This programme is a combination of learning new things, socialising and building self-confidence through a creative activity. Elements of mindfulness are integrated into each session, with regular check ins and learner progress is closely monitored.
These courses are set up to run for specific groups in venues such as schools, family hubs, mental health facilities and community spaces. Courses are arranged on a group by group basis and tailored to the needs of the individuals. Courses are free of charge for provider and participant.
The overall aim of this programme is for adults to participate in an art based course to reconnect with learning, improve their mental health and wellbeing, engage with their local community, be creative, build self-confidence, make like-minded friends and to share their love of learning creatively with others.
We aim to improve our learners emotional, mental, physical and social wellbeing, through targeted therapeutic art activities and by connecting them with other learners who may be experiencing similar challenges.
If you work with parents, older people, SEN adults and/ or adults with mental health challenges who you feel may benefit from some therapeutic art practise, please send us a message via the contact page on this site to discuss your requirements.
Sovereign Housing
Creative Communities works in partnership with Sovereign Housing to deliver a range of creative courses in their over 55s Independent Living schemes, located around West Berkshire. Courses include a range of different art and creative subjects and are delivered in the communal living areas of the schemes.
Courses are designed for Sovereign residents, however they are also currently open to the local community to enrol on, so if you are interested in finding out more about any of the below courses, please send us a message via the contact page on this site.
Art at Great Barn Court, Thatcham
Every other Monday morning 10am to 12pm, starting 18th September 2023
Art and Crafts at Carnarvon Place, Newbury
Every other Thursday morning 2pm to 4pm, starting 19th September 2023
Art and Crafts at York House, Calcot
Every other Thursday morning 10.30am to 12.30pm, starting 21st September 2023
Art at Bland’s Court, Burghfield Common
Every other Monday morning 10am to 12pm, starting 25th September 2023
Art and Crafts at Speenhamland Court, Newbury
Every other Tuesday afternoon, 2pm to 4pm, starting 26th September 2023