HUMANS OF WESTON CIC

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

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 thankful for the opportunities.

HOW

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”.

We are thankful to Aster for the opportunity.

HOW

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.

Stay tuned for the celebration…

HOW

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,

HOW

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.

We hope you spend time in nature..

HOW

North Somerset Community Learning are funding creative sessions at We Are with You.

This sessions are designed for the members of a communtiy Rehab program to find ways to engage in a way that puts skills to good use.

Tie dye is great way to have some fun with creativity and in this session, the clients were given a set of colours.

Each had a white tshirt that they tied using elastic bands to make patterns on the shirt.

The fabric dye was added and the attendees were excited to see what the outcome would be.

So colourful and bright designs happened and the clients talked about what they enjoyed about the process and what they would do differently.

Most importantly, all the group agreed they would explore tie dye again.

We are happy to be supporting people who are making life changing decisions.

Stay colourful,

HOW

HOW CIC director and community artist: Bev g Star has been making new networks and as part of her Aster program, is hosting a pilot project in Wells.

Week 3 of the project and we facilitated a water colour painting for people living within a supported housing community.

Alongside Weston artist Emily Thomas, the clients were encouraged to see what they can do with the paints.

The clients all explored what can be done with the colours as well as each create pieces of artwork that will be displayed in thier community hub.

It was a lovely session and everyone enjoyed cups of tea and biscuits whilst making art.

We had some great feedback and we were informed that just having something to do to help get people out their house was enough.

It’s a truley wonderful opportunity that we have been given and are thankful to have the chance to connect with community in a creative way.

Next week the group will be exploring Mandalas and the shapes that can be found within them.

Good things happen when you’re being creative,

HOW

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…

Watch this space,

HOW

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…

Stay curious,

HOW

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…

Come see us;

https://facebook.com/events/s/creativity-discovered-art-exhi/469337464922863/

See you there,

HOW

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.

We hope you get time to be creative,

HOW

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.

Watch this space…

HOW

Week 2 of our piolet project in Wells and the group made some creative banners.

Given rolls of paper and plenty of mark making pens and pencils, everyone got creative whilst being most social.

Exploring creative freedom and doodling for fun can be all that is needed to bring people togther.

Our project in Wells is for the supported living tenants of the Aster Group; a housing association for the South and South West.

HOW has been invited to do what they do best and make creativity accessible to everyone.

The clients who attended the group appreciated the safe space to explore ideas.

We are so very thankful to have been given this opportunity to grow our network and connect with people that are so welcoming.

The feedback given was that it was fun and people enjoyed the chatting and singing.

Thank you Aster for enabling us to bring such joy.

Next week, the group will be testing out water colour paints.

Stay connected,

HOW

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:

Weston vs Bristol Poetry Slam

Stay poetic..

HOW

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,

HOW

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We are very much looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Stay creative….

HOW

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.

Stay tuned humans…..

It’s going to get colourful.

HOW

Gentle breathing can bring you back to the moment.

Having power over your breath is a really good self soothing way to manage stress and anxiety.

The COMBAT SAD Crew were blessed with the company of Emma from Do Yoga.

Funded by Big Worle, COMBAT SAD is in its third year of being facilitated by community artist and HOW CIC Director; Bev g Star.

Emma hosted a gentle talk about the origins of yoga and guided the group through some grounding breathing techniques.

The group also explored some gentle seated Yoga that can help us relax and use in our everyday lives.

The aims and goals of these sessions are to create coping mechanisms and skills that enhance our quality of life.

We are thankful that we can encourage people to be the best version of themselves and we are full of gratitude to be working with the community.

Stay grounded,

HOW

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stay human….

HOW

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.

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.

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.

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.

We are, as always thankful for the projects that the community engage with.

Love yourselves always,

HOW

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.

Fully funded by Big Worle, each week, community Artist; Bev g Star uses creativity to enable to explore ways to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder.

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.

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.

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.

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.

HOW

There is something wonderful happening at the Big Worle hub..

A 10 week course called COMBAT SAD is being fully funded by Big Worle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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….

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.

HOW