Art Therapy4all are delighted to announce that we are sending out our free 'Winter Art Packs' to care homes across London this week. 
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Inside each box care homes will find all the ideas, instructions and the art materials they will need in order to create a selection of winter-themed art activity workshops for their residents.

We hope the packs will provide interest, relaxation and inspiration for older adults, and help them to cope with the difficulties that the pandemic has brought to daily life.

Example activity:
Many older adults living in care have experienced the heartache of being separated from their loved ones. This activity will help them acknowledge and talk about those they miss by creating and decorating a picture frame.
The activity uses materials such as metallic pens, jewels, sequins, and paints. Instructions are to decorate the border and then stick a photo or draw a portrait to go inside.
Talking points in the group could include: 
- Who are the important people in your life?
- Whose picture would you like in your frame?
- Is there anyone you would like to have a picture of you?
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This initiative forms part of our response to the coronavirus crisis – a new way for us to support the community through art making.
If you would like to find out more about what we do to support older adult, please get in touch with Lucy Pashley who is co-ordinating the project by emailing lucy.arttherapy4all@gmail.com.​

Wishing you warmth and wellness for this winter period.

We are delighted to announce that ArtTherapy4All have received Lottery Community funding to continue our work in a centre for homeless and rough sleeping women in London for another year.
Art therapy can help homeless people through:
• Building self-esteem and reducing isolation
• Encouraging creativity and self-expression
• Exploring alternative approaches to communication
• Providing support and encouraging others
The group is a weekly open studio group and helps women to connect with others in a safe and confidential setting. The group offers a space where women can work through feelings and life experiences through the available art materials such as paint, pastels, collage material and clay.

Garden of Dreams
Sigmund ​Freud’s garden in the glorious sunshine was the perfect setting for our 'Egyptian Dreambook' themed workshop, exploring the unconscious.
Participants in our workshop were invited to explore their innermost thoughts by translating the contents of their dreams into their own dream book using an array of art materials.  
The books produced took many shapes and forms other than a regular book – horizontal, vertical, concertinaed and even shaped from clay.

At Art Therapy4all we are promoting the benefits art therapy through our 'Beyond Words Project' as a way to help people living with Dementia cope better with adjusting to life changes. Art therapy can:

1. Build self-confidence through creativity
2. Encourage expression of emotions
3. Help distract the mind from pain and discomfort
4. Achieve a sense of freedom and self awareness
​5. Enable adjustment to changing self image

We offer weekly art therapy groups for older adults though our Beyond Words project.

'Beyond Words' Project Outline

• Care homes and day centres across London are offered the opportunity to participate in the scheme which provides weekly art therapy groups for older adults for 3 terms.
• The first term is offered for free. For the second and third terms the care homes are asked to contribute towards the cost.
• Each group is facilitated by a trained art therapist, alongside a volunteer support worker.
• Weekly groups offer participants the chance to engage in art-making, alongside group discussions which encourage reminiscence and sharing of stories.
• Therapists are also able to offer therapeutic support for those with issues such as anxiety and depression.
• The therapists and volunteers receive training and supervision to support them throughout the project.
• Therapists provide the care home staff with weekly reports on each participant’s level of engagement and feedback on how they are doing/causes for concern.

Find out more about our Beyond Words Project. Providing Art Therapy groups for Older Adults in London. In partnership with Alzheimer's Society Dementia-friendly communities.
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SPECIAL OFFER: Get 10 weeks FREE art therapy when you sign up for 3 terms.

We were delighted to welcome the 14 participants who attended our workshop 'From the Unconscious to the Conscious Mind on a rainy Wednesday afternoon in Hampstead this week at The Freud Museum.
The workshop encouraged people to explore their unconscious mind through a series of art therapy exercises.
Our next workshop at the Freud Museum will take place on 29th August. To book a place visit their website.

Art Therapy4all are delighted to be taking part in this year's Creativity and Wellbeing Week - the annual event will take place from 10-16 June 2019. 
Join our art therapists Mel and Cate for a workshop at the Freud Museum, along with many other interesting events, exhibitions, workshops and much more.
​For full details visit: Creativity and Wellbeing Week