Eye Opening Creativity
Come and join us at our weekly group where we will get creative to support our Mental Wellbeing
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Welcome to these exciting creative workshops, facilitated by University of Derby third year student and working together with Derbyshire Mind.
Specialising in visual art domains, each session will introduce you to new, modern skills and techniques that you can comfortably practice on your own time.
The main piece of equipment we'll be utilising is your smartphone with a camera, so please ensure you have one ready!
Additional materials that will be provided: acrylic paints, pens, markers, and natural items (such as leaves).
*Dates and Topic are uploaded in the image under*
*All session will start at 2pm and finish at 4pm*
Derbyshire Mind, working with Andreea
Andreea is a final year, Creative Arts for Health and Wellbeing student who needs our service user’s help to hone her facilitation and skill sharing. This is an exciting opportunity for service users to be curious about digital art, to experiment and try something other than paint and paper. No experience required, just a Smart phone. Support and encouragement will be provided by a friendly and knowledgeable artist to produce unique images. Over the series of 10 sessions, they will be uploaded onto a private page online, forming a small virtual community for participants to share their work if they so choose. Follow the Eventbrite link, or scan the QR code to book a free, place and come along to Derbyshire Mind’s building on West Street from 13th January to try something new.
Meet Andreea, our Group Facilitator
My name is Andreea, and I am a third-year student at the University of Derby studying Creative Expressive Arts, Health, and Wellbeing. From January 13th to March 17th, I will be your facilitator for a series of upcoming creative workshops.
These sessions aim to bring people together to socialise and build friendships while raising awareness about the importance of Arts in Health. My goal is to show how creative expression can significantly support mental health and wellbeing. As your facilitator, I am here to help each and every one of you learn, grow, and—most importantly—have fun.
These workshops feature a modern twist, focusing on Visual Art, Digital Art, and Augmented Reality (AR) Art. If these terms feel new to you, don’t worry! All sessions are beginner-level, and I will provide plenty of examples and guidance. All materials are provided, so you can simply relax and enjoy the process.
A little about me: As a young artist, I have dabbled in many visual domains. While oil painting will always be my first love, I enjoy a challenge. This led me to explore Digital Art during my A-levels and later discover AR Art at university. Combining these two allowed me to create my final second-year piece, and it was empowering to see my own growth while expressing my emotions on canvas.
It made me wonder: Could this process help others too? Now, I am excited to integrate these creative ideas into daily life, showing you how to create art using nothing more than your phone and your imagination.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Andreea
How does Creative and Expressive Art help with our wellbeing?
The final project is a collaborative creation involving all participants and the facilitator. It will be a small, exciting outcome that allows us to witness the entire creative process throughout this series, leaving everyone with a piece to showcase and take away.
Art allows individuals to express emotions they may find difficult to put into words, like frustration, sadness, or joy. Painting, drawing, and other art forms can serve as emotional outlets, providing relief from stress.
Mindfulness through art shifts focus away from daily worries and helps create a calming effect, improving mental clarity and reducing rumination on negative thoughts.
Group Details:
Dates: Tuesdays, Fortnightly
Times: 2.00 pm till 4.00 pm
13th January 2026
20th January 2026
27th January 2026
3rd February
10th February
17th February
24th February
3rd March
10th March
17th March
Location: 12-14 West Street (opposite the Empire Cinema), Swadlincote, DE11 9DE.
Who is the group for? All sessions are open to adults (18+) who are looking for a safe, creative space to enjoy Arts and crafts while meeting new people in the community.
Cost: All sessions are free
What will I need to bring with me: Please a digital device (mobile phone or tablet), and dress comfortably for creativity. There will be tea and coffee available but if you would like to bring any snacks or other soft drinks to keep you going through the session, please do.
Group Leader: Andreea will be leading this Group and supported by members of Derbyshire Mind’s Wellbeing Team.
If you have any questions please get in touch by emailing:
community@derbyshiremind.org.uk
How to Find Us:
Location:
12-14 West Street (opposite the Empire Cinema), Swadlincote, DE11 9DE.
