This course offers a welcoming, relaxed, and supportive environment where students engage using a variety of materials to learn new creative skills and work towards a Tailored Learning Outcome. By the end of the course, students will have progressed or worked towards their set goal, gain a deeper understanding of how art and creativity contribute to wellbeing, improve confidence and gain a greater knowledge of materials, techniques and processes.

You will have the opportunity to explore:
• Kantha’s layered stitching techniques and storytelling traditions.
• Sashiko’s clean, geometric patterns and practical applications.
• Unique African embroidery designs and bold colour applications.
• The rich history and cultural significance of these global styles.
• Tips to incorporate traditional methods into your own projects

The course will support with health and wellbeing benefits as well as offering many other opportunities including progression and support into further learning, skills for employment including building confidence to overcome health-related barriers to employment, access and support with essential skills in line with our funding criteria.

There are no formal assessments.

Students will work towards a personal Tailored Learning Outcome regarding their physical health, mental health and developing stronger communities. During the beginning of the course, the tutor will spend 1:1 time with students to determine which learning outcome they would like to work towards.

The course runs for 5 hours a week for 3 weeks – 2.5 hours on a Tuesday & 2.5 hours on a Thursday

Students will work towards a personal Tailored Learning Outcome regarding their physical health, mental health and developing stronger communities. During the beginning of the course, the tutor will spend 1:1 time with students to determine which learning outcome they would like to work towards.

Teaching will be delivered through a series of online workshops (via Microsoft Teams) and You will learn by observing demonstrations, group discussions, and by exploring new techniques with expert support. You will learn a great deal by experimenting and recording your own progress. Your tutor will always check your progress and help you with technical solutions.

Anurita Chandola is a Spacewear and textiles artist who has worked internationally with renowned brands. Anurita’s expertise lies in sustainable fashion, product and material innovation, and in designing solutions based on reducing waste in the fashion industry. She is a graduate from the Royal College of Art, where she focused on developing proficiency in the independent learning methods and practices of contemporary art and design. Anurita is currently researching on clothes that work in microgravity and is working as a Spacewear fashion and textiles artist.

Applicants must be at least 19 years of age at the start of the academic year, to attend this course. You don’t need to have any art experience to join this course. We kindly ask that you try to attend each week for the duration of the course to get the most out of the experience. Your regular participation will help you fully benefit from the activities, learning and achieving your goal set out from the Tailored Learning Outcomes. These courses are also available for self-referring or referred patient/client. If you have a support worker or have a condition, we will need to be aware of, please let us know – there may be other specialised creative courses that are more suited to your needs from other health providers. The tutor will spend some time with you 1:1 to support you with your declared needs to ensure we give you the best support and guidance during the course.