Creativity

Mindful Sewing  encourages sewers to forget about perfection and forget about the finished article. Instead, it encourages the idea of enjoying the process of sewing for sewing's sake. It’s about the journey, not the destination. It isn't about mending or making garments from a pattern. Neither is it about working towards a goal or a timeframe.

Mindful sewing is about using the needle and thread in the same way you'd use a paintbrush. It's about creating art, about enjoying the process rather than worrying about the product.  It does not  matter if your stitching isn't the best. The focus of mindful sewing is on the joy of creating. What the final product looks like isn't relevant. If it's got raw edges, so be it. If a few of the stitches are wonky, it doesn't matter.

Mindful sewing is about letting your creative juices flow and just running with it. There are no hard and fast rules about what you need or what you should do

We are running a 2 session Mindful Sewing course for students who would like to explore this technique.  Each session will last for 2 hours during which you will have the opportunity to learn some basic principles and explore your own creativity using fabrics, threads, buttons , lace and other haberdashery items.

We will provide all the fabric etc but if you have scraps or remnants of fabric do bring these along. If you have your own sewing scissors and needles please bring them but we can provide them if you don’t.

Date:  Tuesday's 10th & 17th October

Time: 2pm - 4pm

Venue: Broadway House

Here are some examples of Mindful Sewing:-

This new course has come about in response to student’s feedback from the talk we had from Psychiatrist Gwen Adshead in April entitled ‘Living with uncertainty’. We hope this 2-week course will enable students to step back from everyday life to look at their current situation and where they would like to be, and thereby feel more comfortable with the inevitable uncertainties of life.

Kawa means ‘River’ in Japanese, and this OT theory was put together by a Canadian, Japanese OT some years ago. Having been on a course with him, we have adapted his ideas into a practical format so RiM students can produce their own visual representation of the flow that their life is taking, and possible changes that could be made to improve how you live your life and improve your wellbeing.

This course is suitable for students who have completed Welcome to Recovery plus some of the other courses we offer and wish to view their life challenges with a different perspective. You are welcome to join us for a ‘unique variety of journey down the river’! (…..on paper not in real life!)

Date: Wednesday's 8th & 15th November 10am - 12:30pm

Venue: Broadway House, Newbury

Come and join Sarah & Fiona and 'get in the flow' with some Autumn creativity.

Course date:  Wednesday 22nd November

Course timing:  10am - 12noon

Course venue: Broadway House, Newbury

Come along and paint a piece of pottery at the Ugly Duckling Pottery Workshop with the Recovery in Mind team.  This event is kindly subsidised by The Ugly Duckling Pottery, students will be expected to pay towards their item.  Depending on the number of students we expect the subsidy to be between £5 - £8, the balance for the item chosen will need to be paid on the day by the student.  This is an ideal opportunity to make a Christmas decoration or gift.  All equipment will be provided but you will need to be prepared to pay for your own refreshments.

Date & Time:  Monday 4th December, 12 - 2pm

Location: The Ugly Duckling Pottery, Bartholomew Street, Newbury RG14 5LL

Come and join the Recovery in Mind team and make a festive wreath.  Following a demonstration, we will provide all that you will need to make your own wreath, followed by a hot drink and a mince pie.

Date: Thursday 7th December

Time: 10am - 12noon

Venue: Rowles Farm, West Ilsley, RG20 7AR.  Please park in the yard or on the road.