The HOW CIC are in term 4 of thier creative skills courses.
Four weeks ago we launched our last sessions for 2022 by facilating 6 courses at Weston Artspace for the community to grow and develop skills that they can transfer into skills for life and find opportunities for work.
HOW CIC COURSES
So far we have created 2 events, 1 being a fashion show to show how cosume making can lead to opportunities for commissioned projects and a table top workshop day for those people who are attending the ‘How to host workshop’ course.
HOW CIC EVENT
We will be announcing our Recycled Fashion fashion show next week….
HOW CIC COSTUME MAKING
We have enjoyed the tie dye skills sessions as it’s enabled the clients to explore techniques that can help them repurpose old fashion and sell the creations they make as a way of becoming self employed aswell as enjoy the process of creating.
HOW CIC TIE DYE
The engagement has been inspiring.
It’s been a wonderful 4 weeks and we encourage anyone looking to learn with thier community to engage with us.
These courses were made possible with funding from North Somerset Community Learning.
So much is happening and we want everyone to be part if it,
The HOW CIC has launched 6 new courses to help its community grow..
The Humans of Weston have been busy working on organising the last term of 2022 with a selection of interactive skill building sessions.
With funding from North Somerset Community Learning, the HOW CIC has launched 6 new public open courses and 2 closed groups for our community.
Our 6 open public community courses and workshops are;
TERM 4 COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
Back in August we asked our communtiy what they wanted to learn and what skills they would like to develop to help them grow.
The community wanted us to think about being eco friendly and upcycling nature as well as scrap materials so, with that in mind, Monday mornings at 10am till 12pm at the Weston Artspace we will be hosting: Eco Crafts.
ECO CRAFTS WITH HOW CIC
On Tuesday mornings, for 9 weeks, HOW will be facilitating a Costume Making course that will end in a parade of the costumes we make.
The first session will focus on designing a fancy headress whilst talking as a collective about the end of term show.
COSTUME MAKING WITH HOW CIC
Tuesdays afternoons will be dedicated to a Creative Skills drop in where people can come to a safe space, enhanced thier creativity and express themselves with different mediums.
CREATIVE SKILLS DROP IN
Our community wanted colour and informed us they would like to further thier skills in Tie Dye so they can maybe upcycle and sell clothes to better thier future independent work choices.
Wednesday afternoons from 1pm till 3pm, we will be exploring different tie dye techniques including working with tshirts and canvas bags.
TIE DYE SKILLS WITH HOW CIC
With a focus on creative skills; HOW CIC came to understand that our communtiy want skills that can further artistic and creative careers.
HOW hosts and facilates creative workshops and believe assisting other people to host thiers would be a great skillset to develop;
Thursdays at 10am we will work with clients to help them create and design workshops of thier own.
WORKSHOP HOSTING WITH CIC
Also a skill that our communtiy wanted to further was thier event hosting skills..
We have designed 8 weeks of course information that will help them produce some events on the 9th week.
1pm till 3pm on Thursdays we will create an event and promote to the wider community.
EVENT HOSTING WITH HOW CIC
All of the above courses will be held at Weston Artspace.
Our current focus is to help humans grow skills whilst connecting in a creative and social environment.
We were so happy with so many humans that came to see our creative showcase..
The Humans of Weston showcased the work created by artists that had been on 2 10 week courses; Creative Discovery and Make Your Art Pay.
DUA NIAH EXHIBITING ARTWORK
The Creative Discovery course enabled people to explore different mediums in hopes that they can use skills to improve their social connections and develop transferable skills that they can use as they grow as artist before entering the industry to find work.
TYE DYE BY NINA THOMAS
Throughout the Discovery course, clients explored Tie Dye, Resin, fluid art, ink work and Macrame.
Make Your Art Pay focused on the next steps of becoming a self employed artist and making a sustainable living for creativty and art.
We were joined by many people who are already established in the community and are doing magical things to shine light on the people of Weston.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS FISHER
HOW focuses on bringing communities together eith an eco friendly twist, and on the 29th September 2022 we opened the doors of the Artspace and were visited by 169 people.
WESTON ARTSPACE FULL OF HUMANS
The work we are currently doing is made possible with funding from North Somerset Communtiy Learning who have a remit to assist people taking steps to get back into work and further skills.
We are so thankful that we have been able to create connections amongst communities and help people grow.
SHOWCASE HUMAN COUNTER
Term 4 of our creativtiy starts 17th October….
Stay tuned to our social media for course launch deatils,
We are preparing for our exhibition at Weston Artspace on September 29th..
The HOW Community Interest Company was on its 8th week of its 10 week course term structure and the session was all about finishing work ready for the exhibition at Weston Artspace on September 29th.
ARTIST DISCOVERY EXHIBITION
Throughout the year, we have worked with more than 500 people, all coming forward to be part of the communtiy projects we host.
The Creative Discovery course focuses on allowing people to connect with thier creative side by developing creative skills and then putting them into practice.
CREATIVE HUMANS AT ARTSPACE
We are passionate about assisting the communtiy to drive us forward and grow ideas that best suit them and what they need from us.
At the end of each of our sessions we ask for feedback about how we can further improve our services and skill sharing sessions so the communtiy feels included into the growth of our organisation.
ENCOURAGING ART
The feedback we have received was that people enjoy the inclusion and social connections they make from being part of it all and would love us to host another term of interactive and socially engaging projects.
We have been lucky to be funded for some courses and workshops sessions by North Somerset Community Learning who share our ethos about helping people grow skills.
ART SKILLS BEING DEVELOPED
Our humans spoke and we listened…..
Term dates and courses will be announced early October,
We are hosting an exhibit for showcase our skills.
The Humans of Weston have been busy making things happen.
For the last 7 weeks we have been facilitating creative engagement workshops and sessions to help people grow in confidence and unlock thier creative licenses.
HUMAN CREATIVITY
Creative Discovery is a 10 week course in which the attendees explore different mediums to make art. The course ends on the 29th September with a 1 day public exhibition to showcase the work that has been made throughout the weeks.
So far, the clients have worked with: Resin, lino printing, paint pouring, string art, Macrame and more…
RESIN EXPLORING
A course we are also hosting is; Make Your Art Pay which is designed to help creatives look at taking the next steps in maintaining a sustainable living from thier art skills.
Throughout the course were joined by local writer Becky Walsh to talk about networkimg and visual artist Marta Hutt who shared tips on managing workload.
BECKY WALSH TALKS NETWORKING
We are looking forward to seeing what the artists produce and we are excited about connecting with our community.
These groups couldn’t be made possible without funding from North Somerset Community Learning.
We have been so busy orchestrating creativty for August….
August has so far been a busy month for the Humans of Weston.
Funded by North Somerset Community Learning, we have been facilitating creative sessions in our home town;
CREATIVTY THROUGHOUT AUGUST
This week, we brought tie dye to the North Somerset Community Training hub on Alexander Parade, Macrame skills to the Weston Artspace and creative business skills on our Make Art Pay course.
MAKING MACRAME AT WESTON ARTSPACE
Working directly with the community is what makes us happy and we are always thankful for the opportunities to share our skills.
THE MAKE YOUR ART PAY COURSE
If you would like to get involved, come see us at the NST hub on Tuesdays and Wednesday’s.
Creative sessions at the North Somerset Training hub
We are passionate about facilitating creative sessions that enable people to explore new skills.
EXPLORING TIE DYE
Funded by North Somerset Community Learning; Creative Discovery is a 10 week course that provides the materials for clients to test out new mediums and unlock thier creativity.
TIE DYE IN THE COMMUNITY
Throughout the course, the group will work towards an exhibition that will display all they have made.
It’s exciting times for the Humans of Weston and we are happy to help people discover thier creativty.
The Humans of Weston have been busy launching a new series of courses to explore ways to make a sustainable living from creativity.
Week 2 of the fresh set of workshops welcomed local writer and life coach Becky Walsh to talk about the importance of Networking and how to engage with energy when connecting with new networks.
BECKY WALSH TALKS NETWORKING
So far, the clients who have signed up to a 10 week course have looked at how introducing yourself with confidence can help make an impact.
We are excited to be able to host such courses that are needed for our ever growing creativity communtiy of Weston.
MAKE YOUR ART PAY
This course is made possible with funding from North Somerset Community Learning and we are thankful for thier support…..
There is still time to join the group and all you need to do is turn up at the Weston Artspace on Thursdays at 10am.
The Humans of Weston have started the Summer holidays by hosting a creative session at the North Somerset Training hub on Alexandra Parade in Weston.
Funded by North Somerset Community Learning, our hosts got together to facilate creativity and encourage people to explore water colour paints and wax crayons.
WATER COLOUR AND WAX CREATIVITY
With over 15 people attending of all ages, the workshop was a great way to spend some time.
Artist Em Thomas says she loves helping people grow thier creative passions.
A PAINTING FROM THE GROUP AT THE HUB
Throughout August, the Humans of Weston will be at the Hub on a Tuesday from 12.30 till 3.30 assisting adults to discover creative mediums and on a Wednesday from 12.30 till 3.30 welcoming any age communtiy members to join in the fun.
FREE CREATIVE SESSIONS FUNDED BY NSCL
Tie dye is the activity that is planned for the 9th and 10th and we are looking forward to seeing what people create.
Humans taking creativity to the next level by attending a course that will help thier art pay..
For the last 6 weeks we have had insight to a pilot course called: Make Your Art Pay funded by North Somerset Community Learning and is being hosted by community artist Bev g Star and creative assistant Emily Thomas from Lemonie Art.
The course started with an introduction on becoming a sustainable artist that has a focus on community activities.
There will be an opportunity for the up and coming creatives to pitch thier abilities to the local communtiy in hopes to connect and grow.
These sessions have been designed to enable creatives that have found a purpose in art to take thier passion to the next level.
In week 2 the group welcomed local life coach, writer and extraordinaire; Becky Walsh to talk about Networking.
LIFE COACH BECKY WALSH TALKS NETWORKING
The importance of networking is fundamental for emerging creatives and we were happy to help make this all happen.
Also invited to talk about her work, local visual artist Marta Hutt held a discussion on marketing and managing and organising workload.
MARTA HUTT SHARES HER SKILLS TO A COMMUNITY GROUP
Marta engaged with the clients and they enjoyed hearing this artist share her tips for motivation first hand.
The up and coming artists are due to learn more creative business skills before hosting an exhibit of thier work on the 7th July at Weston Artpsace from 10am till 2pm
We are hoping community organisations, community members and others attend the exhibition of creative skills to see what the group have to offer whilst maybe finding an opportunity to work with them.
Big Worle are known for investing in thier community and making things happen.
For the last 3 years they have been running a course over the Winter to Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Year 1 saw the hub being used to engage a group of people with creative activities, year 2 the pandemic arrived and the course was hosted online and in 2022 the course of socially engaging activities.
For 11 weeks, local community artist; Bev g Star, amongst guest talkers, encouraged those that attended the course in 2022, to look at ways to improve their mood as well as learn a new coping mechanisms.
Throughout the sessions the group looked at how connecting with nature, being mindful, learning yoga breath work techniques, working with clay, meditation and more can help people improve thier quality of life.
COMBAT SAD 2022 ended with a celebration that included cake, party bags and reflecting on what the group had gained from the project.
We are extremely grateful to be part of watching people grow skills that focus on positive living.
Thank you to Big Worle and the people that support projects like this..
HOW CIC was given an opportunity by The Aster Group to take a creative project out of town.
In October 2021, managing director and community artist; Bev g Star was invited to join a co-hort of social entrepreneurs to undergo a training incubator and hub that helps improve, develop and streamline newly founded social enterprises.
This has helped Humans of Weston to focus on becoming an organisation that benefits its community in the right way, with the correct tools and has helped us with a strengthen our core missions, values and goals.
One part of the program was to host a piolet project for clients that access the services of the Aster Group and thier associates.
HOW spent 5 weeks with clients that live in a supportive housing community with Rethink Mental Health at Kerward House.
The people that attended the sessions led us to assisting them to paint a community mural in thier summer house.
The aim of these sessions were to engage with this community creatively.
The outcomes included; the community’s voice being heard, social engagement increasing, confidence using skills improved and a sense of achievement was felt by all those that attended.
The pilot project ended by inviting the staff and the rest of the community to see what could be achieved by engaging creatively and how it can have a big impact on improving mental health.
The feedback we received was wonderful and we wish we could’ve stayed longer.
The celebration was super and credit goes to Emily Thomas from Lemonie Art for volunteering her skills.
We are so thankful to have hosted a community project in Wells with the Aster Group
For 5 weeks, HOW CIC visited Wells to host a piolet project that came together as part of a program that is hosted by The Aster Foundation.
The last session ended with a party celebration at Sheldon Drive too share cake, Easter crackers and fun.
Over the weeks this group have been coming togther to cheer each other up whilst developing and sharing creative skills.
At the last session we looked at how these sessions have improved the clients who access the services of Aster and what they feel like they have gained by attending each week.
The clients who have been socially engaging with our project felt a real benefit from the sessions and fedback that even just having a cuppa tea and a chat can improve their mood.
Throughout the weeks, we explored different creative ideas and mediums, including; water colours, mixed media, paint, mandalas, making banners and more.
Some great creativity was used to brighten up the Sheldon Drive community hub;
HOW is about getting the communities we work with to use creativity while being social.
It is our mission to make creativty accessible to everyone.
The last session also included a celebration of all the art that was made throughout the project as we decorated thier community hub for everyone to see.
Artist Emily, who volunteered her time and materials to make the project work said that; “Community projects are needed to help us all grow”.
A community summer house is being transformed in Wells as part of a project HOW CIC is hosting.
The Humans of Weston were invited to facilitate some creative workshops that would engage the communities that live in in supported housing for Rethink Mental Illness.
We have been encouraging clients to help lead a creative project that would help improve thier well being.
Creativity is a great way to improve people’s well being along side being social.
This is all part of a program run by the Aster Foundation that are mentoring social enterprises and helping grow.
This community mural has brought people together and made them feel like they have something to contribute aswell as being part of something.
Our 5 week piolet project is due to end and we think it’s been a great success.
This project is just an example of what we can do.
Wells have been welcoming the Humans of Weston for a 5 week project and clients who attended week 4 at a community hub in Sheldon Drive explored the mindfulness of Mandalas.
Each year, the Aster Group open a programme to mentor social entrepreneurs that looks at all aspects of their business and how they can benefit communities to the highest their potential and we have been lucky enough to be a part of it all.
Sometimes, just having a cup of tea and biscuits with others can improve how we feel as we connect as humans together.
Social innovation, community and collaboration is at the heart of everything Aster do and this piolet project has had a wonderful impact on its community.
Bringing people together to tackle isolation is key to assisting people to live their best possible lives whilst putting into practice skills that can be grown.
Hosted by visual artist Emily Thomas and community artist; Bev g Star the group has been looking at ways to engage socially and creatively to improve their well being.
Mandalas are a great way to slow down whilst being in the moment and everyone who attended enjoyed looking at ways to draw Mandalas.
Our last session with the Humans of Wells will be exhibiting to the rest of the community and the community workers what can be done to engage people who access the services of Aster.
We are thankful for the new networks we are building, the opportunities that are opening up for us a CIC and the people that engage with what we have for offer.
Whatever you do today, we encourage you to be mindful,
Spring is most certainly here and as the sunlight warms up, the clients who attend COMBAT SAD celebrated the start of the season with a session on Wreath making.
Over the 11 week course, we have discussed how being in nature can improve your wellbeing and can contribute to lifting your mood when you are feeling low.
The first step of making these Spring circles was adding fresh foliage to a copper wire hoop.
The group then added fabric flowers too add colour and some thing pretty to look at.
We all had a great time being social and being in a group lifted our mood as we focused on the creative task at hand.
At the end of the workshop, everyone received a little bird to add to thier piece.
Nect week will be the last session of the course that is funded by Big Worle and hosted by community artist; Bev g Star.
HOW returned to Wells for its 3rd week to work on a community Mural that is happening at Keward house.
Working closely with the clients, we supported them to find a creative project that will use creative skills, put them into action and improve thier community space.
The group decided to paint a picture of Glastonbury Tor on the wall of thier summer house.
We are passionate about helping people live thier best possible lives, whilst incorporating creativity.
The second coat has now been painted and next week we will focus on adding the details.
We are thankful to the Aster group for helping make this happen.
The work done so far is really great and we are delighted to see people grow…
Filling your mind with creative skills is one way to tackle low mood.
In week 9 of the COMBAT SAD course funded by Big Worle; Bev g Star, hosted a session on Mandalas.
The session started by the clients exploring the shapes that can be found within a Mandala and seeing what characteristic traits these eternal patterns can include.
The second part of the process was drawing free hand a mandala in aid to release the mind from perfection.
We then used a compass to make some symmetrical designs before upcycling old vinyl records as our canvas.
It was a very relaxed session and some wonderful moments were had.
The clients that attended the session all received some Sedum plants as a reminder to include nature into thier lives as the Spring arrives.
We hope you get chance to explore new ideas and fill your mind full of wonderful things…
For the last 9 weeks, a group has been attending the Creative Discovery course to focus on developing skills that they can put into practice and make art.
The course is being hosted by community artist; Bev g Star and community worker Sid Howlett at Weston Artspace.
The clients have explored: Mandalas, clay, mixed media, water colours, canvas painting and more, alongside, framing and hanging thier work for exhibiting.
The group, that has been funded by North Somerset Community Learning, got together to set up thier exhibit ready for the final display on March 22nd 2022.
People have been discovering skills that they didn’t know they had and nurturing those skills to grow.
We can’t wait for the rest of the community to see what we have been up to…
The members of a community rehab program that is run by We Are With You, explored soap carving.
Sometimes the most smallest of ideas are the best and chissling into a soft service was extremely therapeutic.
The 12 week program is designed to help those are suffering with addiction, learn about thier addictions and access the help that is needed to start making healthy changes.
North Somerset Community Learning are funding these creative workshops on a Monday afternoon for clients to get the chance to develop creative skills and find a distraction from thier addictions.
The sessions also allow those that attend, to make suggestions of what they wish to try and next week is tye dye.
Hosting the sessions is community artist; Bev g Star and creative assistant Paige Bailiss who create a safe space for clients to try new ideas and so far the it has been a great success.
We are so happy that people are growing and understanding that creativity can be used as a tool to escape.
A community mural is a wonderful way to get people involved..
HOW has the interest of the community at it’s core, so when we were given the opportunity for clients at Keward House to help lead a project, it was decided, that, as a group we would paint a mural in their summer house.
Week 1 of a 5 week piolet allowed the attendees to explore ideas to grow throughout our time being creative with them.
One client drew Glastonbury Tor on the wall and as a group they agreed to use this as inspiration.
Week 2 of the project, we got stuck in and made things happen by adding the first coat of paint to the bigger picture.
We are passionate about growing confidence and finding purpose for skills that people can develop aswell as put into practice.
The project has gotten off to a great start, everyone feels involved and thankful to be part of something where there feel seen, listened too and included.
Next week we will make a return visit to the Humans of Wells and layer on the second coat of paint.
The COMBAT SAD crew welcomed local poet and word genius; Sophie Shepherd who regularly holds poetry slams at Loves Cafe in Weston.
In week 8, the group were given a notebook, some inspiration and examples to put together some words of thier own.
With a relaxed vibe, the group worked on writing for 3 minutes about an intence moment they had had that week.
There were no rules to the imagination used, just a focus on writing whatever came.
Sophie, who also deliveres workshops in schools, then encouraged the attendees to highlight thier 6 favourite sentences, words or quotes from their written piece.
Then with some further prompts, each person used those previous words to reshuffle and make a short spoken word piece
Incorporating the use of words, playing with them and using the as a healthy outlet is one of many skills the COMBAT SAD crew are exploring to lift mood and tackle soical isolation.
This sessions are funded by Big Worle and facilated by community artist Bev g Star and we were thankful to be joined by Sophie.
You can see a poetry slam in action on March 2022:
HOW CIC and the Creative Discovery crew prepare for an art exhibit
Something has been happening at the Artspace…
Week 8 of 10 saw the Creative Discovery clients have a free art session allowing them to explore whatever medium they felt like working with.
The group came together to start finishing their art projects that will be on exhibit at the Weston Artspace.
Throughout the course, the attendees have had the chance to explore a range of different skills and focusing on how to put them into practice.
Some beautiful artwork has been created and developing creative skills gives people the chance to express in a visual and colourful way whilst showing the world what they are made of.
Everyone is welcome to come and visit the ‘Creativity Discovered’ art exhibit on March 22nd 2022 at 1pm till 2.30pm.
We are thankful to North Somerset Community Learning for helping us make creative skills accessible to those that need it the most.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the exhibition,
For the second part of our pilot project in Wells and as part of the social mentorship program with The Aster Foundation; HOW visited clients that live in a supported housing community called Keward House.
The supported living clients have access to a Summer House that we will be based in for our 5 week project.
KEWARD SUMMER HOUSE
We are making use of that Summer house by turning the place into a creative hub that displays art the clients make throughout this journey.
The clients that attended were encouraged to start thier creative journey by making visual art with the materials provided by HOW.
HOW MATERIALS
The materials were laid out and the clients began exploring ideas that we can grow by mark making and mixing media.
Starting with a blank canvas, we looked at the different ideas that we can grow and what ideas we can develop as the project unfolds.
BLANKS CANVAS
Anything was possible and it is our purpose to help people access creativity whilst facilitating social engagement.
Some great art was made and it was a delight to see people unlocking thier creative licenses as they discovered what is possible when you incorporate creativty into everyday life.
ART MADE AT KEWARD HOUSE
We are passionate about humans living thier best possible lives whilst putting into practice the skills they learn along the way.
HOW focuses on getting the community to lead where they would like to take projects.
WALL OF POSITIVITY
It was decided by the clients they would like to work on a mural and expand on a wall drawing of the Glastonbury Tor in our first session.
GLASTONBURY TOR DRAWING
We are very much looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Since October 2021, Managing Director and community artist; Bev G Star has been part of a mentorship and co-hort program that is being hosted by The Aster Foundation.
Aster are working within their communities to bring organisations, who have something to give, a chance to grow whilst hosting a socially engaging project in that network.
HOW CIC has been invited to host a 5 week piolet project in Wells that focuses on; making creativity accessible to everyone assisting better mental health whilst documenting the importance of having engaging activities for us as humans to connect with.
Aster supports people living in social housing and the first place HOW visited was a community hub to facilate a mixed media workshop for clients that are looking to engage and connect in a creative way.
It was a great success and some of the feedback given was that even just a cup of tea can make someomes day.
We are so thankful to be given the opportunity to be part of a program that has enabled us to grow.
Finding balance in your everyday life is important..
A session, that is part of the COMBAT SAD course explored the idea of balance and how to assess it in our every day lives, was hosted at Big Worle.
Rachel Stark natural health, wellness biohacker and eduhacker led the group in an activity that used the Yin Yang theory to help us see when we are in or out of balance and how finding balance can help us live a happier life.
The concept describes how contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another.
The group looked at what each side of the symbol can represent and matched up the opposite forces under the Black feminine Yin and the White masculine Yang.
Light against Dark, the Sun with the Moon, Heaven and Earth, as Above as Below, and Fire with Water were all some of the examples that were discussed as principals to look at areas of our lives that need to be balanced to for us to live in harmony.
In-depth conversations were had and everyone received a journal to help keep records of their thoughts, feelings and life events as a helpful tool to empty busy minds, so we are able too process the fast paced incoming knowledge and information we experience everyday.
We were reminded by Rachel that balance is one of the keys to a happy healthy life.
We are not Human doings, we are Human beings.
It was a very gentle session and we are thankful to Big Worle for making this all possible.
Humans Of Weston CIC Director Bev g Star has been undergoing a mentorship program with the Aster Foundation.
Since October, Managing Director of Humans Of Weston and community artist; Bev g Star has been part of a programme for social entrepreneurs that has been enhancing our social innovation, our community network and has helped us find new collaborations.
The Aster Foundation invest in their communities and their future through a range of initiatives.
THE ASTER FOUNDATION
The Aster Foundation also supports Housing First tackle homelessness and their Independent Living Services support and enable independence for older customers by providing solutions to address a range of exclusion challenges.
Bev g Star was invited to join a co-hort; a selection of socially focused organisations that have been connected online to undertake a syllabus that drives to develop innovative and sustainable ways to drive change across our communities, to invest in their future through a range of initiatives that improve life chances and remove barriers.
BEV G STAR MENTORSHOP WITH THE ASTER FOUNDATION
Whilst undergoing this programme, it has assisted HOW to strengthen its Missions, Values and Visions, Aster Inc has helped by hosting a series of workshops and sessions that has enabled us to look at all areas of our business, how we can develop and have been encouraged to assess our ethics so we can grow organically alongside our communities and find our place with what we have to offer.
MISSION, VALUES AND VISION OF HOW CIC
One of the aims and goals of the incubator program is to develop a pilot project for the Aster clients and, in March, HOW will be visiting Wells to host a selection of creative workshops in aid to show how creativity incorporated into the every day lives of the people who network within our communities, can help lift social engagement too tackle social isolation, help people put into practice skills and generally connect with each other.
Creative Discovery funded by North Somerset Community Learning
For the last 6 weeks, clients on a substance abuse recovery program have been incorporating creativity into thier everyday lives
EXPLORING MANDALAS
These sessions are all about discovery after addiction and how using creativity in it’s many forms can be a great way to focus.
FOCUSING WITH CREATIVITY
This week, the clients explored Mandalas and used thier skills to draw some mindful art.
A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART
Creative Discovery is funded by North Somerset Community Learning who have commissioned local Artist; Bev g Star and community worker Sid Howlett to run a 10 week creative crash course.
MATERIALS FUNDING FROM NSCL
We are thankful to watch people grow as they come together, build a community and use skills to find purpose in life.
MANDALAS BEV G STAR
Stay creative and be mindful of the things you enjoy doing…
We have been lucky to capture the creative projects that are happening around our town.
Monday 21st of February was the first day of 2022 that we have been able to work back with the Community Rehabilitation course at We Are With You.
MATERIALS PROVIDED BY NSCL
The course that runs for 12 weeks, helps clients who access the service, create structure in their recovery journey aswell as explore ways to lessen substance abuse and addiction.
CLIENTS DISCOVERING NEW SKILLS
Community artist Bev.G.Star and artist Paige B, facilate creative sessions within this group once a week which is funded by North Somerset Community learning.
The first session of 2022 gave the clients a chance to draw and doodle on tshirts.
TSHIRT DOODLES AT W.A.W.Y
Some great doodles were drawn and those who attended the group all benefitted from creativity whilst feeling they have made a contribution.
COMBAT SAD was in its 5th week when the group got to togther too explore clay with Nicky from Magesta Pottery.
The clients who attend the group in aid to lift thier mood and try to find ways to incorporate creativty in to making ourselves feel better, were each given a handful of clay to make a pinch pot, a piece of cloth to put down on the table and a cocktail stick to help indent and decorate with patterns.
Clay worker Nicky, guided the group through a gentle session by using basic skills to make something beautiful.
Examples are shown to the group of what they can achieve with little tools and creative ideas.
Everyone who attended the session felt like they relaxed into the process and enjoyed using thier focus to be in the moment and some great pieces were made.
We thank Big Worle for making community projects like this happen and happy to see people grow in confidence, social skills and as people.
Next week the group will explore the subject of Well-Being.
We are so thankful to everyone who made a donation in return for our positive affirmation cards.
Last year, the directors of the HOW CIC found a way to raise money to help provide the community with interactive and engaging social projects.
POSTIVE HUMAN CARDS
Positive affirmation cards were made and sold at the last of the Creative Recovery exhibits inspired by the clients that attended the course hosted by That Creative Thingy Wotsit CIC.
AFFIRMATION CARDS AT THE CREATIVE RECOVERY EXHIBITION
These cards can be picked up at Whitecross Clothing: A business on Whitecross Road connecting with local artists to collaborate on projects.
The cards are bring purchased by donations for the Humans CIC community and it has enabled us to purchase a years liability insurance.
HUMAN CARDS AT WHITECROSS CLOTHING
More cards are being made in aid to help provide the community with creative projects they can get involved with.
The idea was a great success and a total amount of £135 has been raised so far.
We are so thankful for the support and encouragement as we have begun to grow.
Using self love as a tool, you can lift your mood….
Big Worle are currently funding a socially engaging project with us and community artist; Bev g Star.
Each week a group come togther to discuss ways to improve low mood over the Winter months to COMBAT SAD using creativity as a tool.
COMBAT SAD MATERIALS
These workshop sessions are filled to the brim with ways to develop skills that tackle social isolation so people can connect.
In session 4, the group focused on ways to love themselves and what this can look like.
SELF LOVE IDEAS
We created a wall display at the hub with the suggestions and then went on to make cards for ourselves with kind words and reminders of how important we are as individual unique humans.
SELF LOVE CARDS
Everyone left feeling uplifted and connected after taking some time out, then went home with a celebratory red rose as a symbolic reminder to love ourselves first.
A RED ROSE
We are, as always thankful for the projects that the community engage with.
Community conversations are important and this week the COMBAT SAD Crew explored nature.
Learning a little more about nature was an important session focus and a vital part of the COMBAT SAD course in aid to lift peoples mood and tackle social isolation.
COMBAT SAD SESSION 3
Fully funded by Big Worle, each week, community Artist; Bev g Star uses creativity to enable to explore ways to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder.
POT DECORATING WITH BEV G STAR
Those that met as a group on Thursday evening decorated pots whilst openly discussing together ways to nurture seeds and how nurting them can relate to us humans as we grow.
FEELING THE TEXTURE OF THE SOIL
Shelly Jane, a local community gardener, came to talk with the group about nurturing nature and how its relativant for our human needs as we listened to her share the wisdom she has collected over the years.
PLANTING SEEDS WITH A COMMUNITY GARDENER
We talked about what connecting means to each of us as everyone felt the texture of the soil and we discussed the importance of establishing good healthy roots and what we need to help us thrive.
COMBAT SAD GIFTS
Everyone was granted the time to be seen, be heard and at the end of the session received a gift box that contained a few plant nurturing essentials.
We are so thankful to watch people grow and credit Big Worle on making this all possible.
There is something wonderful happening at the Big Worle hub..
A 10 week course called COMBAT SAD is being fully funded by Big Worle.
MIHALO MEDITATION ALTER
Each week a group get together to explore ways to keep our spirits lifted, connect with other people and learn new coping mechanisms for low mood.
COMBAT SAD EXPLORING SONG BOWLS
This week was magic as host and community Artist; Bev g Star welcomed Dawne Hope from Mihalo Meditation to guide the group through a Singing Bowl Meditation.
A GUDED MEDITATION FROM MIHALO
The session Started with Dawne talking of her experiences travelling the world spending time with the Buddhist Monks, the work she does in the recovery network and her journey on the path to enlightenment.
DAWNE FROM MIHALO
The meditative sound journey was transcending and all the attendees relaxed as the group learned that where our energy flows, our manifestations grow.
The session was much needed and everyone felt uplifted and calm after the experience.
COMBAT SAD LISTEN TO A MEDITATION
Dawne was excellent at sharing her knowledge and we were so pleased to have her guide the group through this practice.
At COMBAT SAD this week, connections were made, new skills were shared and people were uplifted….
MEDITATION KITS
Everyone who attended the session was gifted a Happy Meditation Kit that contained; Incense sticks, Earthing River Rocks, Bath Salts, A Candle, Herbal Tea and a few other goodies.
We hope everyone takes the time out to rest and look after their selves.
Humans are back with Wave Community Radio for 2022….
Back in June 2021, the Humans of Weston joined forces with Wave Community Radio.
Launching with the idea to make conversations with the community, the HOW show fixed a weekly Sunday show going live at 5 to shine light on the humans that can be found around the magical town of Weston-super-Mare.
Director of the Human CIC, Bev g Star alongside radio show producer Harii Bo made a safe sounding show with good music and great community conversation.
Since the show started, 25 humans from Weston’s community have appeared on the show to talk about their organisations, their love of the town and what they contribute the growing town.
The last show aired in 2021 was with a live chat with James Willis-Boden, a local town representative that talked about his own contribution plus his involvement with the Fridge of Free food in the Sovereign Centre.
Wave Community Radio and their team have been a great partnership for HOW, facilitating not only the HOW show, but shows hosted by other radio voluntary presenters such as; The Hart Playlist with Leanne Hart, The Foundry with Jim Woods, Folk with Flic by Flic Wilson and The Real Show hosted by the LGBTQ community.
The HOW show is set to relaunch January 30th 2022 and will return by bringing you the finest Humans of Weston we can find.
The 11 week course of COMBAT SAD 2022 which is fully funded by Big Worle begun on 20th January and is being hosted by community Artist Bev g Star.
COMBAT SAD GIFT
The COMBAT SAD project is in its third year and focuses on ways to lift the mood of the community during the Winter season.
HAPPY PACK
The first session started with each of the attendees receiving their COMBAT starter kit.
The ‘Happy packs’ included; herbal tea to lift senses, a tassel key ring, some creative materials plus a sketch book that can be used as a mood journal.
CREATIVITY IN A BOX
In the first session, the group came together to talk about who they are and how SAD effects them.
The activity that was provided was Mixed Media, which helps assist with ways to use creativity to express emotions and lift low mood.
CREATIVE JOURNALING
Everyone who attended, found they benefited greatly after coming together with like minded people and they felt being in a safe space to talk helped them feel less isolated.
COMBAT SAD WITH CREATIVTY
Some beautiful sketch book pages in thier journals were created and the group came together to exchange skills, stories and compassion.
CREATIVTY MADE AT COMBAT SAD
It was the perfect gentle setting to a wonderful start to an engaging project.
Next week, those attending will be guided through a meditation by a local professional.
We were thankful to be there to watch people start Combating SAD and we are looking forward to watching people grow.
Weston Artspace showed the community what they can do with Creativty..
Wednesday 19th was the URICA display exhibit at the Weston Artspace.
The URICA project was all about helping people with limited abilities that may be suffering from long term illnesses access the creative community space.
Occupational Therapist, Sarah from Goodings Disability Services worked alongside Artspace guardian Karen Blake, screen printer Zara Emily and community artist Bev.G.Star to host a set of engaging workshops and finally produce a collaboration of artworks to make a puzzle show piece.
One of the purposes of the piolet project was to collect feedback and data to prove that incorporating creativity is good for mental well being and the skills used to make art and explore creative mediums can help improve motor skills.
The feedback from the clients were put on display and the Weston Artspace had a wonderful turn out with the community coming to see the display.
Not only did this project promote and increase confidence in those that attended, further creative opportunities arose and one emerging artist went on to provide designs that have been screen printed onto clothing that is now being stocked by Whitecross Clothing on Whitecross Road WsM.
The community coming togther to exchange skills, improve the quality of life for others and engaging with opportunities is the best outcome for everyone.
Community spaces and the people are the heart of what Humans of Weston do and having a cake at the exhibit was just a bonus.
It was another great success story for all those involved and we are happy to have been there to see the magic happen.
Back in October 2021, a project at the Weston Artpsace called U.R.I.C.A has hosted.
Funded by Arts Council England, The Artspace teamed up with local occupational therapist; Sarah from Goodings Disability Services to help clients with limited abilities rehabilitate from long term illnesses and access the communities creative space.
URICA AT THE WESTON ARTSPACE
Sarah Gooding’s aims and goals are to produce evidence to doctors, local authorities and other organisations that incorporating creativity and art into the rehabilitation of people that are looking for ways to engage socially, mentally and physically is a great contribution to peoples health and wellbeing.
Local screen printer Zara Emily and community artist Bev g Star came together with Sarah to work alongside and host a series of creative workshops that enabled the clients who attended the sessions to explore mark making and screen printing onto fabric puzzle shaped pieces that all will be contributed to a bigger piece that will be on show in the window of the Weston Artspace and will be launched at an exhibit on Wednesday 19th January.
ACESSABLE ARTSPACE
The clients enjoyed the creative rehabilitation sessions and stated more sessions like these would benefit their health, wellbeing and they felt more confident about accessing the community space that is run by a group of volunteers.
The Artspace team are inviting everyone down to the space to see the work the clients produced and think this is a great opportunity to to get to know and expand their community.
– Big Worle are set to lift the community spirit yet again with COMBAT SAD 2022
Big Worle are always doing their bit to lift the spirits of their community…….
Back in 2020 their steering group got together to agree to commission local community artist Bev g Star to host a series of creative workshops to tackle social isolation, well being and low mood around the darker days of the year throughout January until the start of Spring in March.
These sessions were a great success and the course had some wonderful feedback from its first year.
SAD known as Seasonal Affective Disorder effects a high number of people in the UK throughout the winter months where our human bodies receive less sunlight and our moods lower causing depression.
In 2021, due to the pandemic and lockdown the sessions were hosted online with creativity packs being sent out to the attendees to join in the activities which also included techniques to help us all deal and use as coping mechanisms such a Yoga and breathing techniques from Do Yoga, meditations from life coach JP, well being from local resident Rachael Stark amongst others ideas such as combating SAD with poetry and other creative mediums.
The sessions are set to start again and will begin on 20th January and will run over 11 weeks on a Thursday evening up until 31st March.
There are limited places available and people wishing to join in the session should visit the hub or contact; chair@bigworle.org.uk.
We hope you have all had a wonderful start to the new year…..
After a break for a bit of rest and research, we found our niche and launched ourselves back into working with the humans in our community.
With feelings of physical and soical isolation, this year was a tough year for many but, it has made us grateful for all the connecting that has come about….
Our communities are growing despite the hard times and it feels like there is a sense of those communities coming together whenever and wherever they can.
We found out that there is a need for community and creative spaces for us all to make a postive contribution to our places and people.
We learnt that people grew when they were shown skills, given materials and opportunities to grow.
Humans of Weston has had the biggest pleasure in working with many community members this year and we are most definitely thankful to the organisations we connected with.
Our re-launch saw the Creating Connections project in partnership with That Creative Thingy Wotsit CIC, shine light and hosting 14 live interviews with organisations that are doing wonderful things in our town.
Weston Foodbank, Culture Weston, Theatre Orchard, Somewhere to Go, community artists, VANS, The Scrapstore, Artspace and so many more were part of the Creating Connections project.
Humans of Weston also this year began to contribute to the communtiy by hosting a live radio show in partnership with Wave Community Radio where we go live at 5 on Sundays talking with the people from the town and allow them to talk about their projects and community engagement.
During our relaunch, That Creative Thingy Wotsit CIC became wonderful partners for us humans as we learnt how to host community projects and engage our people;
TCTW CIC went on to receive funding from North Somerset Council, The DCMS and National Lottery to host creative workshops for people recovering from drug addiction.
TCTW used thier partnership with Weston-super-Rocks along with community artist bev g star to host some engaging workshops and connected with Orchard Community Housing, Sefton Park Rehab and thier service users to promote health and wellbeing through art.
Together they hosted The Creative Recovery project that ended on a high this December with a total of 6 creative art exhibits whilst connecting with clients who are recovering from substance abuse and thier community.
HOW also worked alongside the occupational therapist from Goodings Disability Service to assist creative activities for those with limited abilities whilst helping them access the Artpsace Weston.
Sessions were hosted by screen pritinter; Zara Emily and bev g star to make a creative collaboration with funding support from Weston Artspace.
The piece of work created will be on show in January 2022 as a display for the public to see.
The 21st Century Super Shrines, a 3 year project was also something we got involved with.
Celebrating national artists that are contributing to our town, Culture Weston facilated creative workshops that engaged the community and contributed to a community Super Shrine that is focusing this first year on Morag Myerscough who is coming to build a colourful bandstand in our town…
Throughout 2021, we have been with our community every step of the way, capturing these moments and sharing them with the world for all to see what happens when you incorporate creativty and positive thinking into our lives.
We love creativity and all its forms and our contribution to brightening the town of Weston with oppurtunites, street art and beautiful things has only just begun…..
Next year we predicted growth for all the humans we work with and we thank everyone for thier support.
Funded by North Somerset Community Learning, people came together at the North Somerset Training Community Interest Company hub to make festive crafts, be together and connect with people.
Amongst the activities there was card designing, bauble decorating and wood slice tree decorations made.
Everyone that attended the session enjoyed being in the safe space and relaxed into the gentle way of expressing themselves, as well as showing willingness to get involved and unlock thier creative licenses.
Clients who access community services often think that they are not creative but end up finding out that have skills they didn’t know they had.
It is a great feeling to be able to bring creative joy at this time of year to people who are looking for ways to connect, get involved and grow.
The workshop was led by community artist; Bev g Star and assisted by Emz from Lemonie Art.
We would like to thank everyone that help us to help other humans grow and those that enable us to do such work.
Wishing everyone a gentle festive season and we remind you all to take time out to rest, recover and explore your creative side.
It was a great day for the clients who access the services of We Are With You; formally know as Addaction.
A group came together for thier weekly creative Monday session and this week everyone got into the festive spirit by decorating miniature Christmas trees.
Each week, the clients who attend the group are encouraged to unlock thier creativity by using creative materials to develop skills that they can incorporate into thier recovery.
These sessions are made possible with funding provided by North Somerset Community Learning and facilated by local community artists to help people see that creativity and all its forms can be used as a healthy outlet to express, a way of finding purpose and a way of feeling included.
Last week, clients made festive wreaths and every single person that takes part shows willingness to try whilst growing confidence in abilities they didn’t know they had.
Communtiy projects like this are a great way to help people see that they can get more out of life once they are given a way to connect.
These sessions are a follow on from a pilot project that was hosted by That Creative Thingy Wotsit that started early in 2021 and was in association with Weston Super Rocks and many other organisations.
It is wonderful to see humans coming together to help other humans grow and we are so thankful to be part of it all….
Next week the clients will be making seasonal greetings cards.
We have taken part in some wonderful projects over the years that have enabled us to connect with the community. We are so thankful for being able to be part of the Creative Recovery project.
The project is all about incorporating creativity and encouragement to people who are recovering from substance abuse.
The project ended with an exhibition of the work created on one of the ten week courses; the whole town was invited and it was a great show.
This project was facilitated by That Creative Thingy Wotsit and funded by the National lottery fund and North Somerset Council.
The project gave us opportunity to work with; Weston Super Rocks, Sefton Park Rehabilitation Centre, Orchard Community Housing, That Creative Thingy Wotsit, Weston Artspace and many more.
As the project grew organically, members who took part in the project were given the opportunity to put thier skills to good use and feel like they have something to contribute by giving back.
Mannie who was on the pilot project contributed his film and media skills and made this wonderful documentary to highlight the wonderful impact the course had.
We are so thankful to have had this opportunity and it has been wonderful to have eveyones support.
We are hoping to do host some creative projects and grow some of our ideas in 2022 so stay tuned….
