Make and Mind

28/07/2026

🌿 Flourish Workshops are Back! 🌿

I’m so excited to be launching a new series of Flourish workshops this autumn.

These sessions are designed for anyone who has been struggling with their mental health and would like to reconnect with nature, learn creative skills and spend time in a safe, supportive environment with others.

📅 Dates:
• 17th September
• 24th September
• 1st October
• 8th October

🕥 Time: 10:30am–1:00pm

📍 Location: My home-based studio near Walkden Gardens, Sale.

Each week we’ll begin by taking inspiration from the beautiful surroundings of Walkden Gardens before returning to the studio to create something unique. Throughout the course you’ll learn a range of creative techniques, including:
✨ Pyrography
✨ Air-dry clay
✨ Jesmonite

You’ll take home your finished creations after each session, along with new skills, increased confidence and hopefully a sense of calm and connection.

☕ All materials and refreshments are included.

💚 £100 for all four sessions (10 hours of tuition).

This is a heavily subsidised mental health rate – these workshops would normally cost £45 per session.

Places are limited to keep the group small and supportive.

If you’d like to find out more or reserve a place, send me a message.

Sale WalkdenGardens ManchesterWorkshops Jesmonite Pyrography ClayWorkshop Community MakeAndMind MentalHealthSupport

25/07/2026

🌿 We’re delighted to announce a brand new series of Flourish workshops! 🌿

Designed for people who want to reconnect with nature, learn new creative skills, and find a safe, welcoming space to share experiences around mental health and wellbeing.

Over 4 consecutive weekly sessions, you’ll be guided by an experienced tutor as you explore a different nature-inspired craft each week in a relaxed and supportive environment.

These workshops are ideal for anyone who is:
• In recovery from mental ill health
• Beginning to feel ready to reconnect after a difficult period
• Looking to build confidence and self-esteem
• Hoping to meet like-minded people in a friendly, non-judgemental space
• Interested in discovering creativity as a tool for wellbeing

No previous artistic experience is needed—just come as you are.

Together we’ll create beautiful handmade pieces, spend time connecting with nature, and support one another as we grow, create and flourish. 🌱

07/01/2026

Today I had the opportunity to deliver a seminar at for the ITE inclusion conference. It was great to discuss how sedentary lifestyles affect our mental health, the importance of creativity and ways to incorporate it into teaching practices. The trainees even got to take home some wonderful creations.

24/08/2025

16/07/2025

Just received an unexpected notification…

Do I remember ordering this? ….No. (According to my Amazon account I ordered it in March 🙃

What the f*ck is this book about? …God knows.

Am I excited? ….Hell yes.

Why am I always skint?..I think we know the answer to this.

Can I base a whole workshop around Protozoa?..time will tell

20/06/2025

Summer flourish ☀️🌻

12/06/2025

Visited the Huntarian Museum today and although a lot of their specimens are quite macabre these really inspired me with the colours and textures

02/05/2025

Another gorgeous morning spent with my lovely Spring Flourish group. This week we learnt the art of pyrography and burnt some images onto wood ❤️🌸🐈

02/05/2025

Making some gifts for my upper sixth class who will be leaving next week to do their A levels. Asked them their favourite animal. I’m no artist but really enjoyed doing them and hope they appreciate the thought 😂

15/04/2025

We held a gorgeous evening last night. Crafting for mental health. Our participants demonstrated a 43% average decrease in negative emotions after an hour of crafting and chatting to others. All those happy neurotransmitters boosted and new skills learnt.