Research shows that participating in creative arts and craft activities can improve your mental health and wellbeing, reduce stress and help you regain focus in an often challenging world.
“Before starting my pottery course, I believed that I wasn’t an artistic person. For the first few weeks, I would criticise my own work and pick faults in it. But week after week, the encouragement and compliments from other learners changed my opinion I had on my own artistic talents. I learned to embrace my work and appreciate my own individual style.”
Holly, ACL Pottery Learner
Increases happiness and reduces anxiety
When your mind is focused on a task or activity, it is less likely to be focusing on the things that cause you stress and anxiety in day-to-day life. According to BUPA, “Repetitive activities like drawing, knitting and painting can help to flood your brain with dopamine, the feel-good chemical that helps to motivate us.”
Engage with others
Some of the most common feedback we get from learners is that our courses have enabled them to meet like-minded people and make friends for life. Being surrounded by people who share a common passion and encourage your creativity, enables you to connect with people and form relationships. The social element of our creative classes is also very important for some of our learners. Whether it’s an online class or in one of our centres, being able to communicate and engage with people reduces isolation and loneliness.
Increases creative confidence and self-esteem
One of the reasons that many of us don’t take part in creative activities is because we feel we lack artistic flare. But that’s not true! We all have creativity within us, and our tutors will encourage you to embrace your own artistic styles and create artwork that showcases the artist within.
We have lots of interesting Art & Crafts courses starting all year round. View all courses & workshops
