Growing Together Through Creativity: Our 2026 Workshop Programme
As Art for Wellness CIC continues to grow throughout 2026, our workshop programme is evolving alongside the wonderful communities we support. This updated edition of our workshop blog reflects new opportunities, expanding venues, developing ideas, and the continued growth of our creative wellbeing sessions.
What began as a small collection of therapeutic art workshops has grown into a wider creative wellbeing programme supporting adults across Penistone, Barnsley, Wortley, and surrounding areas. As we continue to listen to participants, explore new ideas, and build partnerships within the community, our workshops will continue to adapt and develop throughout the year.
At the heart of everything we do remains one simple aim:
to create welcoming, supportive spaces where people can slow down, feel connected, and experience the calming benefits of creativity in a gentle and accessible way.
A Variety of Inspiring Venues
To make our sessions as accessible as possible, we’re hosting workshops in different locations, each offering its own unique atmosphere:
🌿 Wortley Hall, Wortley
A truly special setting, Wortley Hall offers stunning gardens and peaceful surroundings that perfectly complement our nature-inspired workshops. It’s a place many of our members already love for its beauty and sense of calm—ideal for slowing down and finding creative inspiration.
🏡 St John’s Community Centre, Penistone
Located in the heart of Penistone, this friendly and familiar space provides a warm, welcoming environment for our sessions. It’s easy to access and perfect for relaxed, small-group workshops where connections can grow.
🌼 Carers Garden, Barnsley
A peaceful, nurturing outdoor space designed for wellbeing, the Carers Garden offers a beautiful connection to nature. Here, creativity flows alongside the natural environment, supporting relaxation and reflection.
Tesco – Community Workshops (Stairfoot Store)
We’re delighted to host our creative wellbeing workshops in the Community Room at Tesco Extra, Wombwell Lane, Stairfoot (S70 3NS). This welcoming and accessible space supports local charities and community groups, providing a relaxed environment for our small, supportive sessions of up to 12 participants.
With free tea and coffee facilities available courtesy of Tesco, the space helps create a warm and friendly atmosphere where people can connect, relax, and enjoy creativity together.
Springvale Community Garden – Penistone
Springvale Community Garden in Penistone is a welcoming green space designed to bring people together through nature, wellbeing, and community connection. Surrounded by plants, flowers, and seasonal wildlife, the garden offers a calm and peaceful environment where visitors can relax, reflect, and enjoy time outdoors.
The garden provides an accessible space for creativity, mindfulness, and gentle social interaction, making it an ideal setting for therapeutic art workshops and wellbeing activities. Its nurturing atmosphere encourages people to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the positive impact that outdoor community spaces can have on mental wellbeing.
✨ Throughout 2026, additional venues, partnerships, and workshop opportunities may be introduced as the organisation develops. Our aim is to continue reaching new communities while ensuring sessions remain welcoming, accessible, and supportive for everyone who attends.
As we grow, we are also exploring:
New creative wellbeing themes
Seasonal and nature-based workshops
Collaborative community projects
Online creative resources and digital workshops
Future e-books and membership opportunities inspired by workshop activities
Every session helps shape the future direction of Art for Wellness CIC.
What Our Workshops Offer
Our workshops are designed to support wellbeing through creativity, mindfulness, and gentle self-expression. Sessions currently include themes such as:
Look Around the Garden
Wellness Wednesday
Therapeutic Art Sessions
Mindful Mixed Media
Nature-Inspired Creativity
Seasonal Creative Workshops
Family Fun Days
Activities may include:
Painting and drawing
Art journaling
Collage and mixed media
Embroidery and textile art
Mindfulness activities
Sensory and nature-based creativity
No art experience is ever needed. Our sessions focus on process rather than perfection, allowing participants to simply enjoy creating in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Each workshop is inspired by nature, mindfulness, and creative expression. You don’t need any previous art experience—just a willingness to have a go.
We focus on:
Slowing down and being present
Exploring creativity in a gentle, guided way
Supporting mental wellbeing
Building connections with others in a safe, friendly space
What are Therapeutic Art Workshops all about?
Our Therapeutic Art Workshops offer a friendly, welcoming, and supportive space where people can relax, reduce stress, and enjoy being creative in a calm and pressure-free environment. These sessions are designed to support wellbeing through creativity, connection, and mindful moments together.
Each two-hour workshop provides opportunities to explore a variety of therapeutic art activities, encourages participants to slow down, express themselves creatively, build confidence, and connect with others in a safe and encouraging setting.
Important Update: With growing interest and limited places available, some workshops may be repeated across different locations to give more people the chance to attend. Regular members are always welcome to bring along any creative projects they are currently working on to continue during sessions.
Most of our workshops are made possible through grants, donations, and community support. After each session, members are invited to share feedback about how the workshop made them feel and what they enjoyed. The feedback we receive is incredibly positive and highlights just how powerful creative spaces can be for wellbeing, confidence, and connection.
Occasionally, we create beautiful videos celebrating members’ creativity and showcasing the inspiring work created during workshops. These videos help capture journeys of growth, renewal, and self-expression while also sharing with others the positive impact therapeutic art can have. You can view some of these creative highlights on our YouTube channel: Therapeutic Art for Wellness YouTube Channel
From time to time, a small fee may be introduced for certain workshops to help cover the cost of materials and support the sustainability of the sessions so they can continue each week. Any fees will always be communicated clearly beforehand.
Why Join Us?
People attend our sessions for many different reasons. Some are looking for quiet time away from daily pressures, while others are hoping to reconnect socially or rediscover creativity after many years.
Our workshops can help people:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Build confidence
Feel less isolated
Connect with others
Improve emotional wellbeing
Take time for themselves
Explore creativity without judgement
Many participants tell us that the workshops provide a sense of calm, routine, belonging, and gentle encouragement that positively impacts their wellbeing beyond the sessions themselves.
Keeping Workshops Accessible
As interest in the workshops continues to grow, accessibility remains incredibly important to us.
To help support as many people as possible:
Workshops are offered across multiple venues
Some sessions are repeated in different locations
Group sizes are kept intentionally small
Sessions remain gentle and supportive in pace
Different days and times are offered where possible
This flexible approach helps create inclusive spaces where participants feel comfortable, heard, and valued.
How Our Workshops Are Funded
Many of our therapeutic art workshops are only possible thanks to the generosity of grant funders, community donations, and local support.
Funding received from organisations such as the The National Lottery Community Fund, Co-op Community Donations, and other local grant programmes helps us provide accessible creative wellbeing opportunities for the community.
This support helps cover:
Art materials and resources
Venue costs
Workshop development
Community outreach
Accessible creative activities
We are incredibly grateful for every grant, donation, fundraiser, partnership, and act of community support that helps keep the workshops running and growing.
To help ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, some workshops may occasionally include a small contribution towards materials or running costs. Any fees introduced will always be kept as affordable as possible and communicated clearly in advance.
Every booking, donation, attendance, and shared recommendation helps us continue creating safe, supportive spaces where creativity can support wellbeing and connection. of our therapeutic art workshops are made possible thanks to the kindness and support of grant funders, community donations, and local organisations. Funding support from organisations such as the National Lottery Community Fund, Co-op Community Donations, and other community-based grants helps us continue creating welcoming creative spaces that support wellbeing, reduce isolation, and encourage connection through art.
This support allows us to provide materials, venue spaces, resources, and accessible sessions for as many people as possible. We are incredibly grateful for every donation, grant, and act of community support that helps keep the workshops running.
Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the workshops is very important to us. Occasionally, we may ask for a small contribution or workshop fee to help towards the cost of art materials, venue hire, and general running costs. Any fees introduced will always be kept as affordable as possible and communicated clearly in advance.
Every contribution, whether through funding, donations, attendance, or community support, helps us continue providing therapeutic creative opportunities for people who benefit from safe, supportive, and inspiring spaces to create.
Stay Updated & Book Early
New workshops and events are added throughout the year, and many sessions book quickly due to limited group sizes.
You can follow our latest workshops and upcoming events here:
As Art for Wellness CIC continues to develop during 2026, our vision remains the same: to create spaces where creativity supports wellbeing, where community connections can grow, and where people feel welcomed exactly as they are.
Whether you are attending for the first time or returning to a familiar workshop, we look forward to welcoming you into our growing creative community.
Take a little time for yourself. Create gently. Connect with others. And be part of something supportive, calm, and inspiring. 🌿
This updated blog reflects the ongoing development of Art for Wellness CIC workshops during 2026. Sessions, venues, and programmes may continue to evolve throughout the year as the organisation grows.
Most of our workshops are made possible through grants, donations, and community support. After each session, members are invited to share feedback about how the workshop made them feel and what they enjoyed. The feedback we receive is incredibly positive and highlights just how powerful creative spaces can be for wellbeing, confidence, and connection.
What’s new this month?
Our Monday Therapeutic Art Workshops continue to grow, and this month brings even more opportunities for creativity, connection, and wellbeing within our welcoming community spaces.
We’re excited to introduce new seasonal creative activities inspired by nature, mindfulness, and self-expression. Participants can look forward to exploring calming mixed media projects, mindful embroidery, sensory art experiences, creative journaling prompts, and gentle painting sessions designed to support relaxation and emotional wellbeing.
One of the things members love most about the workshops is the freedom to create at their own pace. Whether you choose to join the guided activity, continue working in your personal art journal, enjoy mindful colouring, or bring along your own craft project, the sessions remain flexible, supportive, and completely pressure-free.
✨ New members receive:
Their own personal art journal
A creative folder to store artwork and ideas
Access to a growing variety of therapeutic art materials
A safe and supportive creative environment
Due to increasing interest in the workshops, we’re also exploring additional locations and repeated sessions to help more people access the calming benefits of therapeutic creativity.
We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from grants, donations, and community partnerships that help keep these workshops running. The feedback shared by participants continues to remind us how important creative wellbeing spaces are for reducing isolation, building confidence, and helping people reconnect with themselves and others.
🎨 Creativity has no rules here — just gentle encouragement, friendly faces, and space to breathe.
We look forward to welcoming both returning and new participants throughout the month ahead. 🌼
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