We will host 30 creative workshops over the next two years for adults with lived experience of a mental health condition. People of all skill levels are welcome to join in the fun!
Reachout Create
Share your story in creative ways
The pieces we create together will contribute to our Reachout Challenge training materials. The free creative workshops will also give us more opportunities for community building with mental health service users in Croydon.
Hear Us’ newest project is made possible thanks to funding from the London Community Foundation through the Adobe Fund.
The next creative workshop is on Monday 12th May at Studio Upstairs. This will be a workshop led by Liz Atkin.
Click below to find out more on our Eventbrite sign-up page.
Upcoming Workshops
Liz Atkin is an award-winning artist and educator and friend of the Bethlem Gallery. She will run a series of free online and in-person workshops for adults with lived experience of mental health conditions. Liz will teach you how to explore your creativity without the pressure of perfection. All levels of skill and ability are welcome to these workshops.
Join the second in-person workshop with Liz Atkin on Monday the 12th of May at Studio Upstairs for two hours of relaxing creativity and mental health discussion. Liz will be teaching us ways of using charcoal and soft pastels to create expressive drawings inspired by seascapes. Liz will also share how she came to be an artist and how art shaped her mental health journey. Arrive at 12pm to enjoy an hour of refreshments and some mental health campaigns activities before the workshop starts. These workshops are for adults with lived experience of a mental health condition. People of all skill levels and abilities are welcome to attend.
We have an agenda packed with great workshops led by artists and creatives with lived experience for 2025. You can expect creative writing, photography, zine-making, painting, banner-making, drawing, and more. These workshops are for adults with lived experience of a mental health condition living in Croydon. People of all skill levels and abilities are invited to attend. Join our membership for updates on Reachout Create and other Hear Us projects straight to your email inbox.
Past Workshops
Tree of Life with Sajil Kaleem
Sajil guided participants through a positive reflection of themselves and their futures. One attendee said:
“Sense of well being and good group conversation. Quite empowering and therapeutic while doing the tree of life with paper mache.”
Charcoal Techniques: Seascapes with Liz Atkin
Liz Atkin taught us charcoal techniques inspired by seascapes on Monday 17th March at Studio Upstairs. Some feedback from our attendees:
“It was very therapeutic to use the charcoal and explore natural imagery.”
“Supported my creativity which always helps put me in a good mood.”
“I feel LIGHTER and just loved it.”
Reachout Create Open Day
We hosted our Reachout Create Open Day on the 17th of December 2024 at Orchard House. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to a warm, peaceful, and creative atmosphere.
Attendees got a taster of our newest project, and suggested ideas for future creative workshops. Some suggestions included journalism and calligraphy. What free creative workshops would you like to take part in in the coming two years? Contact may@hear-us.org to share your suggestions. If you have a creative skill you’d like to share with the community, please drop us an email and we can organise a workshop together!
May Elroubi
Reachout Coordinator
Hear Us
Orchard House
15a Purley Road
South Croydon
Surrey
CR2 6EZ
Tel: 020 8681 6888
Email: campaignsproject@hear-us.org
Webpage: www.hear-us.org/forum/