Nurturing Creativity, Connection & Wellbeing Through Art

givesurrey
Sep 9
2 min read

The GIVE Art Project, led by tutor Sunita Khedekar, ran every Saturday morning throughout August 2025. With Nature as its theme, participants decorated clay pots inspired by plants, flowers, scenery, and wildlife — using art as a pathway to expression, connection and joy.

From the start, the project aimed to boost mental wellbeing, combat loneliness and foster community spirit in a safe, supportive, and fully inclusive setting.

At the beginning, participants were asked how they thought the course would help. On the final day, the same questions were asked again — giving us a powerful snapshot of the project’s impact.

Combatting Loneliness & Isolation

62% of participants felt the project would help to combat loneliness and isolation. After the project, 90% said it had helped them, demonstrating stronger confidence that art reduces loneliness.

Feeling Connected in the Local Community

At the beginning, 87% hoped it would help them feel more connected to their local community. By the end, 72% of participants felt that connection had been achieved. While still positive, some participants felt community connection could grow further in future projects.

Opportunities to Meet New People & Connect Through Art

Before we began, everyone hoped the project would give them the opportunity to meet new people and connect through creativity. By the end, 90% said they had achieved this.

End Reflections

By the close of the project, participants also highlighted:

Increased confidence and wellbeing
Improved mental health — 90% reported a positive impact
Learning new skills
A desire to return — every participant said they would attend another art project

In just four weeks, the GIVE Art Project demonstrated how creativity in a supportive space can boost confidence, improve wellbeing, and foster genuine connection.

Art remains a powerful bridge between people and communities. We look forward to welcoming you to our next project — coming very soon!