July 2, 2023:
What’s your ‘go-to’ pursuit when you need a lift? Something that takes you out of yourself, keeps your mind occupied, and makes you feel that little bit better?
For some, it might be a physical pursuit. Playing football for two hours a week is amazing for my anxiety; that one time every 7 days when my entire focus is on nothing but the next pass, or shot. But I can’t summon a group of others for a game at will, so when I need a lift I tend to grab my phone or camera and get out into nature, or even to an urban setting. I love seeing life through a lens, and trying to capture and frame interesting things I see.
As you’ll see from the array of entries we’ve had for this theme, others enjoy crafts, cooking, painting and a whole host of other creative pursuits. We’d love to know what you enjoy, and there will be a new theme coming very soon so watch this space as it might inspire you!
The beautiful diamond-painted clock on the right now takes pride of place in the staff office at Braeside, our Weston-super-Mare service, and came into being because resident Lucy felt she needed to keep herself occupied. Every gem is individually placed – a real work of art, and just what RF Create is all about! – David Mitchell, RF Create.
ART CREATIONS AT ‘CRAFT AND NATTER’ GROUP, CHICHESTER.
Thanks so much to Karen Wheeler for sending these wonderful creations in!
Taken outside Sudbury RF Supported Housing Service
Ann Marie from our Chichester service sent us a picture of these adorable baby bear hats that she crocheted shortly after her daughter was born in September last year – perfect for ‘New Beginnings’!
“When baby Heidi was born the midwives put a tiny crocheted hat on her within minutes. It was such a sweet little hat and the midwives explained that people make them and donate them to the maternity ward for the newborns to wear,” said Ann Marie.
“So when we got home I looked for a pattern and made a few baby bear hats to send to the hospital as a thank you. They sent a lovely message back to assure me that the newbies will love them.
“There are lots of knitting and crochet projects out there organised by supporters of various hospitals/wards. It’s such a nice feeling to be creating with a purpose and contributing to a good cause. I’d highly recommend to anyone that they have a look to see if there’s a project they might like to get involved with.”
June 2, 2023:
The warmer weather and sense of optimism in the air has definitely brought out the creative side of the RF community, as shown in a fantastic wave of new entries for our ‘New Beginnings’ theme that has landed in our inbox in the past couple of weeks.
We certainly couldn’t think of a more fitting illustration of this theme than the picture sent in by Steven Blinston of the Kirklees Employment Services based in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, showing a pair of geese with their two goslings.
Fittingly this photo was captured while the staff and service users were laying pebbles by the canal that they had painted and adorned with messages as an exercise for Mental Health Week in keeping with RF Create’s theme, with a particularly vibrant-looking one even bearing the words ‘New Beginnings’. As a fledgling venture, we’re very chuffed to see art being created especially for the theme. – David Mitchell, RF Create.
An animal theme running through these two entries, both from RF residents in Weston-super Mare; Sara’s beautiful poem about her labrador Millie, and Lucy’s stunning diamond painting!
PAINTING & PLANTING
To commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month and the theme of ‘New Beginnings’, residents at Richmond Fellowship, Colindale Services engaged in a two-part ‘Design and Destress’ workshop. The entire event took place outdoors, allowing residents to make the most of the sunshine.
During the workshop, everybody received their own plant pot to decorate. Everyone had access to a wide variety of acrylic paints and were encouraged to be as creative as possible! Everyone’s work was then left out to dry in the sunshine, while residents had a well-deserved bite of pizza!
Once the pots were ready, it was time to plant flowers within them. Everyone was tasked with planting petunias into their pots. Whilst it was scary to dig your hands into a big bag of compost…. everyone was up for the challenge!
Overall, the group was a big hit amongst Colindale residents. According to one resident (LV), “nothing beats painting and planting in the sunshine”!
Spring Shakshuka Recipe
Made by Pepita
· Recipe makes 5 portions
· Less than a pound per portion
· Gather your veggies! You will need four red peppers and six small onions
· Chop up your veggies into cubes and wash them thoroughly!
· Add the chopped veggies into a pan with olive oil, stir-fry over a medium heat
· Add two tins of chopped tomatoes to the mix
· Feel free to free style with the seasonings! Be sure to use 1 tsp. of salt, ½ tsp. of pepper and 1 tsp. garlic as your base, you can also add a dash of paprika, turmeric and coriander, depending on your preferences,
· Stir the mixture and let it simmer for ten minutes
· Use the back of a spoon to make six holes in the mixture
· In each hole, drop
one egg
· Cover the pan with a lid until the eggs are poached (approx. 3 minutes)
SERVING
· Serve with a toasted pita bread and a side of feta cheese
· Add a sprinkle of mixed herbs over the dish for some extra oomph!
· Show off your dish with pride!
- Pepita is a resident in our service at Meridan House, Colindale, North London. Thanks to Community Link worker Chloe Hyams for sending it in; we’ll definitely be trying this recipe!
Beginnings
Iremember the first time,
but I didn’t know then
what I know now –
that it was the beginning.
History gets written by people
running back on
and re-arranging things
under a spotlight.
And how, exactly, were we supposed to know?
There should have been a bright yellow fire hydrant,
some tap-dancing and a spot of rain,
a police officer and singing in the streets.
None of it!
There was no moon,
the park bench under the lamp post was empty,
the birds had to feed themselves.
‘You snuck around the back then ran ahead,’
is what you said.
‘You must have moved the chairs around,
when no one was looking,’
I replied.
We are standing in each other’s footlights now,
even as we bow to ourselves, staring up at us,
clapping in the audience –
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Maybe we are in the middle.
And maybe this is near the end.
When you leave this little theatre
we’ve created, take my wishes:
May your endings be happy,
and your beginnings be few
and may my beginnings
end happily in you.
DOD, Wiltshire
May 10, 2023:
I don’t know about you, but to me winter seemed insufferably long this year. It felt as though I reached for the warm jumpers and big coats much earlier than usual, and only now am I finally, tentatively, ready to venture out in just a t-shirt. And it’s remarkable how a few short weeks and the slightest hint of warmth in the air, coupled with a bit of extra light can have such a transformative effect on my mental health.
It would be simplistic in the extreme to suggest seasonal change is entirely mood-altering, but to a mind dogged by episodes of anxiety and low mood, spring can be a tonic. Just a little early sunlight streaming through the blinds can inject me with the smallest dose of belief and optimism that can make all the difference between choosing to get up and be active, or diving back under the covers wishing someone would make the day go away.
This always feels like a time of fresh starts and new beginnings, far more so than the arbitrary calendar change in January when the conditions are hardly ripe for firm resolve. That’s why ‘Beginnings’ is our theme for spring, and we’re delighted to see your entries so far.
As always, don’t be deterred if you have something creative you want to share that doesn’t seem to fit the theme. This is a space to share the things you enjoy making and doing and the themes are here as a guide and a source of inspiration; we’ll either keep your work back for a future theme, or just publish it now. There are enough rules in life, who needs more?!
So keep creating and sending! – David Mitchell, RF Create.
RIGHT: What better ‘new beginning’ than a new life? Baby Aurora, born into the world on 18 April 2023. Thank you to Melanie Lodge from our East Hampshire services for sending this gorgeous photo of her granddaughter. “I’m grinning like a Cheshire cat!” Melanie said.
Sara from Weston-super-Mare sent in these eye-catching crochets; “Being creative helps me with my mental health” she said.
A painting of Horton Park in Epsom done in Acrylics by Pam Wollinger, a volunteer at the Old Moat Garden Centre – love your work, Pam!
Don’t forget to share your spark with us!! Our current theme is ‘Where I Live’ but even if you have something creative that doesn’t fit the theme, send it anyway!
You can send entries to our email info.create@richmondfellowship.org.uk, or follow us on https://twitter.com/rf_create and either comment with your entries or direct message us.
Any questions or queries please message us on the above – we’re happy to guide you whatever the ask!
