LEARNING TO BE CREATIVE

Starting in October 2023 we ran a series of 2-hour weekly workshops in Southborough Civic Centre, for 24 weeks designed to discover and develop individual creativity, run by professional theatre practitioners.  The workshops were open to all adults (minimum age 18) regardless of skill or experience. The course was free, supported and funded by West Kent Mind but we asked that everyone who enrols commit to the twenty-four sessions as places, were limited in number. This was our introductory blurb:

 ​“‘Creativity is the process of having original ideas that have value’ It differs from imagination, which is the ability to bring to mind things that aren't present to your senses. Creativity is putting your imagination to work. It’s not only related to the arts; it can be applied to all types of work, every task, or conversation.”
When we were children we employed imagination to be creative in art and play without self-judgement, but by the time
we reach adulthood, our education and life experiences have sapped our confidence to be creative in every area of life. This course aims to awaken our inborn creative selves, step back to childhood and try new things again with a sense of fun and discover new possibilities. By employing techniques of mindfulness and improvisation in different ways we can enhance our 'performance in life'. There will be exercises, games and activities to unlock our creative powers and build trust in our own unique imagination. Also, by working collaboratively with others, we will increase our imaginative capacity to confidently make creative choices that can be applied to writing, storytelling, improvising. Making and using masks and other creative processes.We will discuss your individual needs and expectations and attempt to meet and realise them. The programme is inclusive so that everyone can work at their own pace and rediscover that creative potential we were born with.
I ran the course together with Maryjane (MJ) Stevens a member of Claqueur Impro. MJ is a director, actor, facilitator, and dramaturg who has worked in participative arts for more than 30 years. She runs Fabulous Projects, which takes bespoke drama projects to schools and community settings and is a facilitator with Moving Memory Dance Theatre. MJ has directed comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe for the past few years, and this year she'll be at the Gilded Balloon with Last Stand on Honey Hill, a musical comedy about harnessing the power of song to fight an enormous, private water company.

We had a lovely group of people who learned very quickly about working collaboratively. At the last session we asked everyone to fill in an assessment  form of the course, Simply printing the results is perhaps the best way of explaining the positive effect it had on people. 

Learning to Be Creative Feedback

These were the benefits people said they experienced by joining in with this group:
Learning new skills  8/8                                                                             100%
Revisiting old skills   6/8                                                                               75%
Learning from an experienced professional  8/8                                         100%
The opportunity to take a six month course  6/8                                           75%
Reducing feelings of anxiety  4/8                                                                  50%
Reducing depression  5/8                                                                             63%
Helping me express emotions  7/8                                                                88%
Helping me manage my mental health in a positive way  4/8                       50%
Helping me build social relationships  6/8                                                     75%
More confident to create social relationships  6/8                                         75%
Reducing loneliness  5/8                                                                               63%
A sense of achievement  8/8                                                                        100%
Pushing myself outside my comfort zone  8/8                                              100%
I am more comfortable with uncertainty  5/8                                                  63%
Makes me feel physically better  6/8                                                              73%
Helps with chronic pain  2/8                                                                           25%
Improved self esteem  8/8                                                                            100%
Feeling more optimistic about myself  8/8                                                    100%
Feeling more optimistic about my local community  7/8                                 88%
Exercising my brain  8/8                                                                                100%
Thought-provoking ideas/exploring social interaction  8/8                            100%
Thought-provoking ideas/exploring self-doubt,self-confidence 7/8                 88%
Having fun  7/8                                                                                                88%
Having a laugh  7/8                                                                                         88%
Being spontaneous  8/8                                                                                 100%
Pushing through fear of failure  8/8                                                                100%
Exploring working as a group  7/8                                                                    88%
Personal Development  7/8                                                                              88%
 
Other Benefits or Comments:

• Feeling safe to express myself.  Witnessing the benefits of this course on other group members, some of whom are extremely vulnerable.  Witnessing them flourishing and growing in confidence has been very rewarding.
• Social relationships
• I feel I have reconnected with a more playful self.  I feel more like myself than I have for a lot of years.  Learning to let go of the roles imposed by family/work/caring roles.
• Letting go of self-imposed barriers.
• A great opportunity to switch off and go with the flow of Wednesday afternoons!
• Something to look forward to each week, wish for more of them to happen
• Wonderful course, really well run, really creative, lovely group.

 
How did you feel/what did you expect when you first started LTBC

• I had no expectations, which was very freeing, making me open to anything.
• I felt open
• I was looking forward to it as I know both the facilitators and how skilled they are. However there’s always a slight anxiety when you first meet new group members.
• Nervous
• Very shy and inhibited.  Not quite sure about things.
• Curious.  No fixed expectations- but ready to go with the flow.

 
Did you try new things here?  What was that like?

• Yes, making images as a group in a short space of time.  Making shadow puppets.  It was very positive as we all worked so well together.
• Lots of new things- difficult at first but the environment was non-judgemental (what a revelation!)
• Difficult at first- but in such a relaxed surrounding and with ‘friends’ I gradually became more at ease.
• Good
• I did and found it tremendously fun and relaxing.
• Yes, really liberating, exciting.

What skills have you learned?

• Try stuff!  It doesn’t matter if it’s wrong.
• Am learning to interact/communicate with people I wouldn’t normally meet.
• I learned from others.
• Working collaboratively with others.  No judgements or hierarchy.  Appreciating that everyone has something unique to bring.  Learning to take risks and not being afraid of failure.
• So many, letting go of failure, expressing myself, mask, puppetry, keeping quiet!
• Puppet making and puppeteering.  Impromptu acting skills.  Supporting other people.  FUN THINGS.

 
What have you enjoyed the most?

• Working with others in a safe supportive environment.
• Creativity
• Enjoyed the tableaux and expanding the characters.
• The mask work was incredible.
• Problem pictures and mask work.
• Interacting with other people and making new friends.
• The games/ice breakers were so much fun.  Loved the improv and mask work.

What did you enjoy the least?

• Can’t think of anything.  I loved every minute.
• Because I was absent when the group started work on the shadow puppets, I felt ‘inadequate’ in respect of the puppets themselves.  I took on the script and narration.

Will you continue practicing creativity- at home/in another class?

• Where and when possible
• Yes, it has inspired me to consider other classes.
• Yes.
• Most definitely.
• Yes 100%
• Definitely, writing a bit more.  Jotting ideas down.  Having a bash at art.

 
Do you feel you have gotten to know people in the group?

• Yes, looking forward to the pub.
• Yes.
• Yes lovely fun supportive group.
• Yes, such a friendly environment, all so lovely.
• Yes a lovely group of people, almost like my other part of family.

 
Have you found that learning/using creative skills is good for wellbeing

• Every Wednesday afternoon has been a great opportunity to ‘switch off’ and learn new skills as well as make new friends.
• Definitely.  I’m feeling less constrained by my own assumptions of what I’m good at.
• Definitely.  We produced a puppet show and puppets and felt good about it.
• Yes very much so.
• Very positive.  Highlight of my week.
• Yes.
• Very good for my wellbeing.  Always lifts my mood and makes me feel happy when I leave.
• Yes helps with that

 
Would you recommend Creative Minds/WKM to others?

• Yes I would.  It was so enjoyable and positive.  We covered such a wide range of creative ideas and made so many contacts.
• I would.  Hope there’s another group.
• Absolutely.
• 100%
• Definitely.
• Yes
• 100% yes.

What could we do better?

• Nothing.
• Run more courses like this.  Help the people in the group keep in touch.
• Longer sessions.
• Have more classes, twice a week if possible.
• More practice.  
• It could be longer!
• One cannot improve on perfection!

 
Is there anything else you would like to say about your experience here?

• I opened up more.  I made friends.  I learned so much.
• The kindness and support of the facilitators was exceptional as well as their professionalism and skills in art, dance, improv, creative writing.  The fact that the course was open to everyone was very beneficial as the mix of people from differing backgrounds and life experience as well as differing physical and mental health meant that more vulnerable members as well as us all becoming more empathetic and understanding.  The inclusivity and diversity was life affirming.
• I’ve been writing a bit more.  Jotting ideas down and having a bash at art.
• A really memorable 24 week experience.  Thank you so much for the opportunity.  Grateful to MJ and Jon and the lovely members of the group.
• It has been a very enjoyable and positive course.  Helped me interact with other people and be more sociable which helps with general life outside and be more assertive in the real world.
• This is the most deep emotionally intelligent course I’ve ever taken.  Fantastic.  I feel blessed to be able to attend a 6 month course.  I hope you repeat this course.
  
• I’ve loved every minute