Honiton: Local sculptor's workshops 'explore hope' through creativity

Honiton sculptor Martin Staniforth has been running a series of workshops that 'explore hope' through art and crafts to help adults with brain injuries, learning difficulties and mental health needs.

He's held Creative Wellbeing sessions with people being supported by charities including United Response and Headway.

The participants have been encouraged to develop their creativity through activities that will also lift their spirits.

Martin, who lives in Awliscombe, said: "Creative Wellbeing workshops are all about exploring hope, looking for things that make us feel good about ourselves.

"We're in a world that can be full of bad news stories, and perhaps bad news travels faster than good news, and social media can be quite unhelpful with our self-esteem.

"In these workshops we think about: what does make us feel good? And in the workshops we make a box, and in that box we put things that make us feel good.

"We might make some clay tiles and decorate those and paint them, we might make little clay objects, we might do a bit of creative writing on leaves made of paper. We might have personal things like little trinkets, a photo of our dog, a bird's feather. And then the boxes get decorated as well, with paint and collage.

"They've very personal, and just the process of making the box is as useful to the clients as taking home the box and using it as a catalyst for positive feelings."

The participants are also encouraged to create group pieces of art, contributing colours and brushstrokes to an abstract painting.