Create Calm: Wellbeing Workshops

30 students max. Suitable for Years 7-9.

In this workshop, students will take part in some mindful drawing to create their own Me-zine/Fanzine. They will learn how to create a zine and will reflect on their favourite things they do in the day. They will make an 8-page autobiographical fanzine celebrating themselves, looking at some of their favourite things in a day and drawing them. This will help to focus on positive wellbeing and what they do during the day that makes them feel happy. The result will be a Me-Zine totally unique to them which they could extend the process by making one for their friends or family members. All materials are provided prior to the workshop: A4 card, coloured string/ribbon, felt tips/ coloured pencils/ crayons, glue stick and scissors. Any own old magazine, scrap paper, wrapping papers or newspapers can be used too.

30 students max. Suitable for Years 7-11.

In this workshop, participants will begin to create a piece of matchbox art, inspired by the contrast between their outer character and their inner self and feelings. Participants will consider how they believe themselves to be perceived on the outside in contrast to how they are on the inside. Students will be shown examples of matchbox art and assemblages by artists, extending their knowledge of assemblage art. All materials are provided prior to the workshop: paper, glue, coloured pens, coloured paper, stickers and craft matchboxes. Any old magazines can be added to create a montage effect. 

30 students max. Suitable for years 7-13, or FE equivalent levels.

This 1-hour workshop encourages relaxation and reflection. During this workshop students will:

- learn about the importance of taking care of their mental health and wellbeing
- be introduced to mindful techniques
- respond to soothing music, exploring colour by creating simple backgrounds that they can draw on later
- explore mindful mark making both individually and as part of a group.

Students will be guided through mindful breathing techniques to help them relax, slow down and reduce tension and stress. By the end of the workshop, the students will have learnt a mindfulness activity that they can practice in their own time. All materials will be provided for this workshop, including inks, pens and paper.

No previous creative experience or ability is needed to take part in this session.

30 students max. Suitable for Years 7-13, or FE equivalent levels.

This 1-hour workshop encourages relaxation and reflection. During this workshop students will:

- learn about the importance of taking care of their mental health and wellbeing
- be introduced to mindful techniques
- develop their tactical skills through working with simple weaving
- make a small piece of cloth woven on a cardboard loom.  

Students will be guided through mindful breathing techniques to help them relax, slow down and reduce tension and stress. By the end of the workshop the students will have a piece of cloth to take home and some mindfulness techniques they can practice in their own time. All materials will be provided for this workshop, including coloured yarn and cardboard.

No previous creative experience or ability is needed to take part in this session.

30 students max. Suitable for Years 7-13, or FE equivalent levels.

This 1-hour workshop encourages relaxation and reflection. During this workshop students will:

- learn about the importance of taking care of their mental health and wellbeing
- be introduced to mindful techniques
- develop their visualisation skills through working with simple collage
- make a small collage piece based around the word ‘calm’.

Students will be guided through mindful breathing techniques to help them relax, slow down and reduce tension and stress. By the end of the workshop the students will have a collage piece to take home and some mindfulness techniques they can practice in their own time. All materials will be provided for this workshop, including glue, scissors and a variety of surface patterns and magazines to cut up.

No previous creative experience or ability is needed to take part in this session.

30 students max. Suitable for Years 7-13, or FE equivalent levels.

This 1-hour workshop encourages relaxation and reflection. During this workshop students will:

- learn about the importance of taking care of their mental health and wellbeing
- be introduced to mindful techniques
- develop their tactical skills through working with clay
- create a small tile and use mark making techniques to decorate it.

Students will be guided through mindful breathing techniques to help them relax, slow down and reduce tension and stress. By the end of the workshop the students will have a clay tile to take home and some mindfulness techniques they can practice in their own time. All materials will be provided for this workshop, including quick drying modelling clay, protective aprons, gloves, and clay tools.

No previous creative experience or ability is needed to take part in this session.

30 students max. Suitable for Years 7-11.

This set of 2 workshops encourage resilience and problem solving. The workshops tackle non-academic barriers of mental health and wellbeing, which can support positive engagement with learning and longer-term aims of raising attainment outcomes for students.*

In session 1 students will:

- learn about the benefits of a positive mindset for wellbeing
- be introduced to fixed vs growth mindsets
- create their own aspirational vision board.

In session 2 students will:

- focus on the theme of identity and learn about self-awareness, resilience and problem solving
- engage with self-reflection and what makes them 'them'
- create their own self-portrait, reworking their outcome and exercising perseverance to keep going no matter what.

We recommend that the workshops take place 1 per week across 2 weeks but can be flexible to work with your timetable.

All materials will be provided for both workshops. No previous creative experience or ability is needed to take part in these sessions.

*Research evidence compiled by Public Health England (2014 - “The link between pupil health and wellbeing and attainment”) highlights that students with better health and wellbeing are more likely to achieve better academic outcomes. This connection is associated with individuals having effective social and emotional competencies. Public Health England identify specific social and emotional competencies as having positive effects on academic achievement, including; 

1. Pupils who are confident about their learning and who have a ‘growth mindset’ persist when faced with challenges.
2. Pupils who can set goals, manage stress and organise their school work achieve higher grades.
3. Pupils who use problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles do better academically. 

These workshops are available for years 7-13 & FE equivalent levels.

If you’re unsure whether your students or young people are eligible to take part in any of the activities offered as part of UCA’s outreach offer, please email [email protected] and we will be happy to support you and answer any questions.