Are you interested in creative approaches to recovery and wellbeing?
In partnership with the NHS, we’re excited to be hosting a series of FREE creative workshops designed to boost your mood and confidence, create connections, and introduce you to some of the fun methodologies and exercises that we’ve proven to be powerful therapeutic tools.
These special introductory workshops are for people aged 18+ who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder and are interested in creative recovery and support strategies, and the potential to shape an exciting new arts-based peer support project and self-discovery programme, led by Sketch Appeal x NHS.
We’re here to give you dedicated time and safe space to get creative and interact with others who ‘get it’ - to free your mind and ignite your inner child/artist!
What to expect
These friendly and inclusive workshops will be hosted by Sketch Appeal’s Founder, Dulcie Ball, and Associate Artist, Lee Anderson. They'll begin with a brief talk about their personal experiences of ED, creativity as a recovery tool, the power of the inner child and the ‘joy of sketch’!
You’ll then have the chance to introduce yourself, before getting a taste of Sketch Appeal's playful and experimental approach to drawing. You’ll explore a series of fun and mindful drawing ‘challenges’, using your right hand, your left hand, drawing with your eyes closed, attempting an abstract… The emphasis will be on enjoying the creative process - rather than nailing the end result!
We are proud and excited to be working with NHS Central and North West London on this!
About the hosts
Dulcie and Lee are both self-taught Artists who advocate and embody the healing power of everyday creativity. They use drawing as a form of daily meditation, and are passionate about portraiture and making art fun, accessible and inclusive to people of all abilities - including people who think they “can’t draw”. They are not Art Teachers or Art Therapists - though the programmes, projects and events we run at Sketch Appeal have proven therapeutic benefits and impact. They are ‘experts by experience’, and will talk more about this during the session.
From L to R: Lee Anderson (she/her) and Dulcie Ball (she/her)
What you will need
All materials will be provided at in-person sessions. For online sessions, please bring along some A4 paper, pens/pencils to draw with (ideally colourful) and some scissors (you will need these to make your zine with). We run our online sessions on ZOOM - please ensure you have it installed on your device.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE SESSIONS - PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING UP
To help us create a safe, inclusive and confidential online space we ask that you:
Join with your camera switched on (you can switch it off after an initial ID check)
Ensure your pronouns are listed after your name (we’ll show you how to do this if you’re unsure)
Do not take any screenshots or share personal information of fellow participants
Treat personal stories shared within the group as confidential
Act in accordance with our safeguarding policy if you have any cause for concern
If you feel triggered: Whilst this session will not be explicitly focused on eating disorders, we will touch upon our personal experiences at the start. If at any point you feel triggered and wish to leave then that is perfectly ok! We feel it’s really important to share our stories, as they explain why we do what we do, and what we are hoping to achieve by working with the NHS. Our recovery journeys are by no means exemplary (whose is!), but they are powerful testimony to the healing power of art!
TimES & DATES
We’re running 2 introductory sessions - please choose the most appropriate for you. You’re welcome to attend both! Please note: Dates have changed slightly since our initial announcement of this project.
Thursday 7th December, from 7-8.30pm (ZOOM)
Saturday 16th December, 11am - 1pm (CENTRAL LONDON VENUE TBA)
Artwork by Jayde Perkin
how to register
Please complete the short registration form via the link below. Sessions are FREE to attend
If you can’t attend or have questions or concerns about joining us please email dulcie@sketchappeal.co.uk. We are happy to arrange a call by phone if you would like to speak beforehand.
A few photos and quotes from previous projects and workshops…
About Sketch Appeal
Established in July 2018, Sketch Appeal is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that uses playful sketching and visual art to boost the mental health and wellbeing of communities, in London and online. We believe that drawing is a vital life skill, and that communal creativity is a powerful aid to building healthy, connected and caring communities full of open-minded people who inspire and encourage each other to be kind, and be themselves. Our methodologies are fun, inclusive and proven to empower people of all ages and abilities – including those who think they “can’t draw”! Our approach is playful and non-technical, which enables us to reach people who might not otherwise engage in Art or drawing, for fear of getting it “wrong”.
Over the past 5 years we have engaged over 14,000 people in our work and proved that the power of creativity AND community combined can lead to great personal and social change. We’ve activated and demonstrated the mental health benefits of everyday creativity, and we’ve empowered many on the path to recovery and wellbeing. We’ve championed the use of portraiture as a tool for self-discovery and social connection, and we’ve proved that drawing and being drawn brings us deeper empathy, fresh perspectives and increased self-confidence. Above all, we’ve proved that drawing is FUN!
