At The Nook, we value creativity as a way for young people to express themselves and grow in self-belief and confidence. We truly believe everyone can create using a paintbrush or a pen! Our focus is always on the individual and meeting them exactly where they are. Some young people love the freedom that creativity provides, while others may find it more difficult to embrace that freedom. We aim to gently and kindly help every young person find the ability to express themselves through creative writing and art, and thrive.
At a time when the mental health of children and young people is of concern, there is ample evidence of the value and importance of creativity in supporting wellbeing. Young people can find strength, inspiration, consolation and community in their shared experience of creativity.’ (Durham Commission on Creativity and Education)
Creativity for Wellbeing
Art for Wellbeing
Therapeutic Art Teacher
Hannah Monnery
ELSA trained - using art as a therapeutic medium Studying for a BA in Childhood & Youth Studies
‘I found I could say things with colours and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way - things I had no words for.’
Georgia O’Keefe
When young people are given the freedom to create, when they are inspired to fire up their imagination, when they feel safe to give it a go without judgment, we see real change happening. Art can provide calm in a stormy moment, deep concentration, acceptance, and pride in a finished piece. It can help young people understand and manage their emotions and wellbeing. Of course, art doesn’t always go to plan, but allowing ‘mistakes’ to happen, working through them together, and accepting that art and life are not about perfection are wonderful life lessons!
At The Nook, our art projects are thoughtfully designed to build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging. We share ideas, offer choices, cheer each other on, and marvel at the different creative approaches to a single project. Our small, gentle, and friendly groups are ideal for those preferring a calm, nurturing, creative space.
There is an element of skills teaching, but the emphasis is predominantly on experimenting with these skills, gaining confidence, and using them in their creative work. We aim for every young person to embrace the art projects with enthusiasm, individuality, and confidence and to celebrate their own and the group's achievements.
‘Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness.’
Annie Albers
Creative Writing for Wellbeing
Therapeutic Writing Teacher and founder
Ali Whealy
BEd(Hons), MSc, Certified Therapeutic Mentor
‘In my writing there are no limits, no boundaries to the imagination. There is freedom.’
Lemn Sissay
As an English teacher, it always made me sad when a pupil declared, ‘I’m no good at writing!’ or ‘I hate writing!’ These feelings are valid and often come from an overemphasis on spelling, handwriting and grammar, and less time to write freely and imaginatively. For some, writing freely is therefore a struggle and anything but therapeutic!
At The Nook, we recognise that simply by using the phrase ‘creative writing’, some will be reluctant to join us. We know they will need gentle, small steps with lots of encouragement. We aim to help every person get to the point where they feel free to write, and their writing experience can, in turn, become therapeutic and enjoyable.
We use various resources to inspire imagination, have fun, and develop the confidence to give writing a go.
‘I find it hard to express how much of a wonderful influence you have been on him. Thanks to your gentle coaching, his writing confidence has grown so much. I can hardly recognise that this is the same boy that, 18 months ago, was refusing to write and finding the whole exercise so stressful. He believes you when you say he should try being an author one day. You’ve done that much for his self-belief. Thank you, thank you, thank you!’ - H (Parent)
Writing is a wonderful way of creating stories and poems, processing life events, recording feelings, and being expressive. It doesn’t have to be shared or spoken out loud; it can be personal, imaginative, and brilliant! It can feel liberating, exciting, and hopeful.
