THE BIG WELLBEING PICNIC
WELCOME TO THE WELLBEING PICNIC
Thank you so much for supporting our Big Wellbeing Picnic! The time, materials and content for each session are listed below – simply click the button at the alloted time to join in! The recording for each session will get uploaded to this page after the event, so you can catch up on any you missed, or re-watch them all!
10am - The Woodland of Wellbeing
This 30-minute guided meditation is a journey into a serene and magical forest, offering an opportunity to connect deeply with nature and your inner self, providing a sense of peace and rejuvenation.
Find a comfortable position, close your eyes, and prepare to embark on this enchanting adventure, where the healing power of nature awaits you.
Afterwards, your host Gaynor will invite you to reflect on the experience and connect in break-out rooms to say hi and share whatever feels comfortable. Materials you'll need: Some paper and pens for reflection.
Materials needed:
None
11.30am - Hamsa Hands
In this creative and relaxing Hamsa Hand Clay session led by Gaynor Rimmer, you'll learn to mould your own beautiful Hamsa hand from clay.
Perfect for all skill levels, you’ll get a unique opportunity to explore the ancient symbol of protection, good fortune, and spiritual well-being as you discover the technique to shape, design, and decorate your personalised Hamsa hand.
Unleash your creativity, connect with like-minded individuals, and take home a meaningful piece of art that embodies positivity and protection.
Materials needed:
Clay, the more natural the better, basic clay tools, if you would like them (available through Amazon, Hobbycraft, The Works and The Range), a small pot of water, a wooden board or greaseproof paper, to lean your clay on.
1pm - Express Stress, Abstract Art Doodles
What is the opposite of stress? Joy, relaxation, and playfulness. As parents we are often in a state of nervous system overwhelm and this workshop is designed for parents seeking a break from the daily stresses of life.
In this one-hour session, we will help you explore the fascinating connection between the nervous system and stress response. Using a simple, in-the-moment blend of doodling and abstract art techniques, to help you to pause, reset, and express what you're truly feeling. No prior art experience is necessary - just bring your curiosity, an open heart, and a willingness to get a little messy.
Materials needed:
A3 paper (thicker paper made for acrylic or mixed media is best so it doesn't break while you are playing), acrylic paints, paint pens, water, paintbrushes
2.30pm - Expressive Art Journaling
In this session, you’ll discover how to express emotions and feelings in a way which is perhaps less conventional, but very creative!
You will foster your creative voice, with a focus on self-care and increasing your own self-acceptance.
Honorata will guide you through using simple yet powerful collage and image techniques, alongside working with colour and line. No art skills are required- just bring yourself and a few simple materials!
Materials needed: Journal or a piece of A4 paper, a magazine to cut images from, markers, glue stick and scissors, pencils and crayons (optional)
4pm - Therapeutic Creative Writing Workshop
In this Therapeutic Creative Writing workshop, you will get the opportunity to put a magnifying glass over a glimmer from your life, be it a walk on a beach, a minor achievement or an enjoyable experience from your life.
Tracy will guide you step by step to explore and create a piece of writing.
No previous experience is necessary, as you will be gently and slowly guided. Plain and lined paper and two different coloured pens are all the materials you’ll need for the session.
Materials needed: Pen and paper
6pm - The Big Picnic Bake-a-long
Everyone is welcome as we end our Big Picnic celebrations with our founder Suzanne and CEO Nikki, who will be attempting a bake-along session, reflecting on the highlights of that day and handing out some lovely giveaways!
Anyone is welcome to join this online session for free - it promises to be full of fun, laughs and probably some chaos to boot!
Materials needed:
Download Dan Hunter's Big Picnic Recipe for ingredients and to join in (see downloads below)
YOUR BIG PICNIC WELLBEING TEAM
Meet the team running your wellbeing sessions, with special thanks to the team at
Creative Counsellors who have committed their time and resources to The Big Picnic free of charge.
Tanja Sharp
Tanja is a neurodivergent Integrative Creative Counsellor, Therapeutic Coach and Clinical Supervisor. She is the founder and co-director for Creative Counsellors and offers 1:1 and group therapy online and in person for parents, women and teens with a special focus on supporting clients who have experienced trauma, burn-out, PTSD and stress. She is the Amazon bestselling author of the 'Creative Counselling Series' as well as a range of therapeutic doodling books for young people including 'Doodle Yourself Happy' and 'Doodle Your Worries Away'. You can find out more about her therapeutic work at www.tanjasharpe.com.
Gaynor Rimmer
Gaynor Rimmer is an integrative counsellor and the co-director of Creative Counsellors organisation, alongside running a private practice online and in person in Southport. At the heart of her practice is a compassionate person-centred approach, which integrates creativity within her therapeutic model. You can find out more about her at www.startofthebeginning.co.uk
Honorata Chorąży-Przybysz
Honorata is an integrative creative counsellor, artist and therapeutic arts practitioner working in the field of healing creativity for the last 10 years. A vivid art journaler who believes that we all have creative force that can help us to express and connect with true Self. Her work involves years of delivery for Public Health, mental health charities, parent-carers groups and work with neurodivergent clients in private counselling practice. www.artlysing.com
Tracy O'Shea
Tracy is a person centred counsellor and superviser with a passion for creative therapies.
Suzanne Alderson
Suzanne founded Parenting Mental Health because she couldn’t find the information, support or connection she was desperate for when her 14 year old daughter was bullied and became depressed and attempted suicide. She is a fierce advocate of the parent and champions the powerful role they can play in positively impacting their family’s mental health, especially in the absence of access to professional services.
Nikki Neale
Nikki is the Interim CEO of Parenting Mental Health - she joined the operational side of the charity in August 2022 (after being a founding member of our trustee team). Her part time role is to help drive forward the growth and reach of the charity. Nikki’s passion for Parenting Mental Health, is in part borne from her own experiences of the impact of her father’s poor mental health on her family growing up. She can also bake!
