A Day and a Season: Woodwork for Wellbeing

A DAY AND A SEASON Woodwork for Wellbeing

A Day and A Season

“I’ve gained confidence through interacting with other people, I feel proud that my art is displayed at Dunsterville House” - Sean

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

The Project Building skills for the workplace through the arts

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artwheel Arts is a charity based in Heywood,

Art for Wellbeing practitioners. We provided an experienced

Rochdale Borough. We promote social inclusion,

artist and a qualified Emotional Support Worker to work in

cohesion,

through

tandem during sessions, allowing for artistic development

community participation in vibrant, innovative, high-quality

and expression. Wellbeing is our core focus during Art for

arts projects.

Wellbeing projects and providing a place for open discussion

diversity

and

regeneration

and support is an important part of the journey we take with This project was deveoped as a creative way to build skills,

all participants.

using interesting materials and techniques such as wood painting, construction and abstract art-making. Each session

Each session had a specific focus around particular skills that

was designed to help identify transferable skills for the

are transferable to and useful in any professional setting.

workplace, education or training.

We explored skills including communication, presentation, facilitation, problem solving, adaptability, collaboration,

Throughout the project we aimed to support participants

organisation and ways of learning. Using these skills within

to build their confidence through group work and artistic

a creative environment aims to make them enjoyable and

collaboration, providing a safe space and support from our

relatable to everyday life.

“I’ve enjoyed learning new things. It’s inspired me to do more and try a bit harder to do things!”

- Richard 4

Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

Lockdown Responding to a global pandemic in a local way

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artwheel has over 35 years experience of promoting

Our funders, WEA and ESF Community Grants, supported us

imaginative, and often challenging arts projects -

to make the necessary changes and put precautions in place

we do not shy away from confronting difficult or

to deliver in person again. (Find out more about our funders

sensitive issues. Our focus is on participation, enabling people

on page 30).

who may have had little experience of the arts to explore and develop their creativity and talents, generating a sense of

Instead of using an indoor venue we sourced an eye-catching

ownership and pride.

marquee, pitched it in the grounds of a Blue Pits Housing Action scheme and offered closed sessions for their residents.

Usually, our projects are face-to-face and delivered in the

We utilised the space to ensure social distancing could be

areas where people live, but during lockdown all of that

maintained and ran two groups instead of one to allow as

delivery ground to a halt. We developed new initiatives for

many people to take part as possible. Blue Pits provided masks,

Cartwheel by connecting with people through the post, over

hand sanitiser and individual lunches for participants and staff

the phone, doorstep photography and online. We had some

and we made sure everyone had their own equipment and

amazing feedback and received lots of pictures of art work

materials where possibe whilst following a thorough cleaning

created at home by young people and adults alike.

regime between workshops.

“I find these sessions really relaxing.

I enjoy coming here as it’s an escape from the outside world” - Joe 6

Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

The Journey

To try it yourself you will need:

Nine weeks of creative exploration

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A piece of wood about 2.5cm thick

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Some nails

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A hammer

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A pencil

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Some string in any colour you like

Next choose an image you’d like to create using your string. Using your pencil draw a simple outline of your image. Then, very carefully, hammer your nails along the line you

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icking off the project our artist, Alex Blakey, had a few activities that were all about

have just drawn, making sure they don’t go all the way through the wood! Leave a little

communication and enouraged creative play to nurture each participant’s own

bit of space between each nail and then tie your string to each of the nails. The next bit is up to you! Work your string around the nails however you like. (See the example photos

creative vision. We also dived straight into the woodworking with a string art activity.

on the next page.)

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

“It’s been really good learning how to use a saw for the first time” - Glenn “I found sawing difficult but rewarding in the end” - Joanna

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A Day and A Season

Over the following weeks everyone began to plan out and create their own panel using four different techniques. Each technique was taught to a different member of the group during one session. In the following session, participants shared their new skills with their peers. This required them to use presentation and facilitation skills, building confidence, as well as promoting learning in different ways.

“The bit I enjoyed the most was painting” - Glenn “I’ve enjoyed the staff support” - Michael

The final stage of the project was to work as a team to develop panels that could go on display in the communal garden. The two groups decided to use nature as their inspiration, looking at the seasons and times of the day.

To ensure everyone’s safety by maintaining social distancing the collaborative work took the form of several panels that each person worked on independently. The results are fantastic and the garden looks spectacular.

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

Times of the Day

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A Day and A Season

Title: Sunrise By: Joanna Burgess

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

“I had lots of support from staff.”

Title: Shine By: Michael

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

Title: Sunset By: Joanna Burgess

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

“It’s based on some of my album covers I’ve got at home”

Title: Moonlight Forest By: Glenn

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

Seasons

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A Day and A Season

“I enjoyed doing it, it was nice getting out with other people.

Otherwise, I would have just been stuck in my room.”

Title: Liverpool FC By: Richard O’Sullivan

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

“The course was therapeutic, like an escape from your troubles, doing art for a couple of hours.�

Made from reclaimed wood, paint, varnish By: Daniel

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

“I really enjoyed going (to the Art project) as it broke up the week for me. I’ve met new people and made some new friends.”

Title: Autumn By: Sean

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

“I really enjoyed the course, it was very theraputic and stimulating�

Title: Winter Mountains By: Joe Brierley

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

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A Day and A Season

Celebrating The End The project had some wonderful outcomes

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veryone who took part in the project gave positive

For two of our participants this was a good catalyst for doing

feedback and felt that the project had been a success

something else outside of the course including volunteering

for them and for the display in the garden.

and registering to start a course.

We celebrated with a socially distanced gathering in the

For the practitioners, it was a delightful surprise to have been

garden where Alex, the artist, helped everyone to hang their

nominated for the Adult Safeguarding and Dignity Awards

pieces. We had food and hot drinks under a marquee and

2020, for which this project came 1st place. Everyone involved

handed out well deserved certificates of completion and

worked incredibly hard and had a fantastic time working with

participation.

all of the participants involved.

“There has been a lasting benefit for tenants who took part in the collaborative art project with Cartwheel Arts. People’s confidence and wellbeing has definitely improved. The tenants who took part absolutely love having their work on display at Dunsterville House. It was a fantastic effort all round�

- Blue Pits Support Worker

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

Adult Safeguarding and Dignity Awards 2020 This certificate is awarded to

Pete Sharp and Becky Smyllie

Project Leads Blue Pits Housing Action and Cartwheel

In recognition of their valuable contribution to Adult Safeguarding in the Rochdale Borough during the Covid-19 pandemic

23/11/2020 Councillor Billy Sheerin - Mayor of Rochdale

Date 23/11/2020

Amanda Clarke - Chair of the Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Adults Board

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Date

A Day and A Season

The Team About our partners, funders and practitioners

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lue Pits Housing Action provides support to

Abi Rogers and Alex Blakey are two of our Art for

all adult groups, including those with mental

Wellbeing practitioners. Abi is an artist, Support Worker

health needs and those with a dual diagnosis of

and Art Therapist, registered with both the HCPC and

learning disability or substance misuse. For this project

BAAT. She has over 18 years’ experience working in a

we partnered with Blue Pits to work with their residents

variety of settings such as schools, secure hospitals and

on building skills that would support ambitions to gain

within the community, providing emotional support and

employment, voluntary work, further education or training.

wellbeing focused workshops to children, adults and the elderly.

The European Social Fund provided the means to run this

Alex is a visual artist whose work combines the beautiful

project through the Workers’ Educational Association

natural qualities of fused and cast glass with stone,

(WEA) which is a charity dedicated to bringing high-

concrete, wood, photography, paint and steel to create

quality, professional education into the heart of

bespoke works of art to suit their environment. Alex takes

communities.

her inspiration from memory, people and place.

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Woodwork for Wellbeing

“The artists were great people and it was a truly person centred approach - letting people express art in their own vision... The tenants were so proud of their work and new skills they learned” (Senior Support Worker) “The project flowed well and gave the tenants a vision of what they could achieve. Everyone I worked with at the very start was positive and very happy to be part of the project, and of course this reflected in the final outcome, the pieces of art at Dunsterville House look amazing. Well done to everyone involved” (Creative Lead - Blue Pits) “Our tenants and staff have enjoyed working once again with the Artists and Emotional Support Workers from Cartwheel Arts. This 10 week collaborative project benefited all who took part, evidenced by the regular involvement, enjoyment and pride (in their work) of our tenants who are still talking about it” (Support Worker) “As our tenants interacted with their peers and the artists from Cartwheel Arts and Blue Pits Housing Action, they became aware of their hidden strengths and creativity. Through this collaboration, they built trust, learned negotiation skills, the value of cooperation, teamwork and pooling ideas” (Service Manager)

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