RAF Odiham Artfulness

Artfulness was founded mid-2021. Fg Off Sweeting was approached by Sgt Higbee who wanted to offer personnel at RAF Odiham a non-contact, non-physical method to manage stress and anxiety.

By Fg Off Sweeting/Sgt Higbee

Having suffered a personal injury and in the light of missing ‘that something’ Sgt Higbee took to Art. Selfless in character, Sgt Higbee devised a plan which could deliver opportunity for station personnel access to non-medicative activities which could assist individuals in better managing the stressors of life & service. As Secretary of the Station Health and Wellbeing Committee, Fg Off Sweeting jumped on the opportunity of something new, innovative, and available to all. Since the initial conversation, the pair have worked together to set up bi-monthly meets in TDF ‘Think Space’, alongside Force Development and follow on from the Padre’s initiative of ‘Wellness Walks’. To date the team have successfully delivered Artfulness visits to Durdle Door, Portland Bill and Donnington Castle.

Artfulness is available for all to take part, to develop new techniques and to make new friends. Sessions incorporate both figurative and abstract painting techniques utilising acrylic, watercolour, charcoal, and pastel mediums. On occasion a local professional artist is invited to facilitate some sessions. A station exhibition will be hosted in December, which is open to all to attend and admire the incredible artwork Odiham staff have created.

Thus far over 50 station personnel have benefited from the art sessions & trips. We would love to show you what it’s all about and how you can benefit. All information can be found on TDF homepage, under Artfulness.

Personnel who have attended the sessions say, ‘Artfulness provides a little bit of creative calm in an otherwise full-on work schedule’.