Our Story
About us
After 10 years of crafting for fun, we joined forces to make crafting accessible to the community.
CREATE Caerphilly Skills and Wellbeing CIC is a mobile arts and crafts social enterprise which makes arts and crafts accessible for the local community. Creative sessions and events are designed and facilitated by Claire and Sally, alongside community engagement and the day to day running of operations. Claire, a part time Humanities teacher at a Pupil Referral Unit, part time arts facilitator, and mum to an amazing, challenging, funny, autistic daughter. Sally Morgan is an arts facilitator with experience of running a coffee shop with a 5 star hygiene rating. She is a mum to three wonderful boys too
Our Story Starts in July 2022
CREATE Caerphilly Skills and Wellbeing CIC was set up July 2022 to promote wellbeing through creativity and the arts within the local community. We know from personal experience and our careers, that art can support wellbeing and boost confidence and self esteem for an individual, but creating together adds a sense of connection that is really powerful.
We work with the community, education, health, third sector and corporate to provide them with a range of arts and craft experiences and events.
Our Mission and Core Values
Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant artistic community in Caerphilly and surrounding areas, fostering expression and imagination in all forms. Through collaborative projects, workshops, and events, we empower individuals to unleash their creative potential. Our core values embrace inclusivity, innovation, and authenticity, ensuring a platform where every voice is heard.
Being creative is good for you!
Embracing creativity is not only a delightful way to express oneself but also an avenue to improve overall health and well-being. Engaging in creative activities, such as painting, writing, or crafting, can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels. When immersed in the creative process, individuals experience a state of flow, allowing them to escape the worries of daily life and achieve a sense of mindfulness. This meditative aspect of creativity has been shown to lower cortisol levels, promoting relaxation and enhancing mental clarity.
Furthermore, nurturing one’s creativity can have a positive impact on emotional health. Artistic pursuits enable individuals to explore and process complex emotions in a safe and non-judgmental space. Through creative expression, people can gain insight into their feelings, helping them cope with trauma, grief, or other emotional challenges. This emotional release fosters a greater sense of self-awareness and resilience, promoting a healthier outlook on life and improved interpersonal relationships.
Creativity also promotes cognitive health and enhances brain function. Engaging in creative endeavors challenges the brain to think in innovative and imaginative ways, fostering neural connections and promoting mental agility. Whether it’s learning a new instrument, solving a puzzle, or experimenting with new art techniques, these activities stimulate various parts of the brain, promoting neuroplasticity and potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Embracing creativity as a part of daily life contributes not only to personal fulfillment but also to a healthier, happier, and more vibrant life overall. So, don’t hesitate to explore your creative side, and discover the profound positive effects it can have on your health and well-being.
Local arts and health networks
In England, there are culture-led health and wellbeing networks around the country that can help you learn more about social prescribing in your area, including Arts and Health South West and the London Arts in Health Forum. Some operate on a local level, such as Leeds Art Health and Wellbeing Network, while some operate at a regional level, such as Arts Derbyshire and Arts and Health Network North East.
Do we need a local arts and health networks in Wales?
The role of arts in improving health & wellbeing
In response to the WHO findings in 2019, UCL reported to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport in April 2020 that;
– The use of the arts to support aspects of social cohesion
– The use of the arts to improve wellbeing (i.e. positive psychological factors) in adults
– The use of the arts to reduce physical decline in older age
– The use of the arts (other than reading) to support child social development
– The use of the arts to support wellbeing in children and young people
– The use of the arts to support cognition in older age
Addressing Social Isolation
In the Craft Council UK 2017 survey, 41% of Craft Club leaders reported that without Craft Club their members would be socially isolated,
49% said that members would not otherwise have a chance to
engage in the arts, and 29% reported that their members
attended for therapeutic purposes.
Lets Get Crafting!
Join us in a class, a 4 week course, seasonal event, or craft at home using one of our kits.