Volunteers assemble creative packs to support vulnerable in Moray
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VULNERABLE people in Moray are benefiting from creative packs designed to support positive mental wellbeing during and after Covid-19.
With stress likely to continue in many households and normal support networks stretched, Burghead and Cummingston-based Mindful Creations CIC is leading a project, supported by Moray Arts Development Engagement (M:ADE) and Moray Wellbeing Hub, to collect art and craft materials for 750 creativity packs tailored to interest, age and need.
The packs cover various interests including textiles, painting, drawing, modelling, woodworking and children's projects. Volunteers have designed instruction booklets to help individuals explore their creativity.
Around 10 volunteers are busily assembling the packs, which also include simple mental health activities and information about local mental health support services.
The packs will be distributed via the NHS to recovering patients, the Criminal Justice team for families they support, schools and the Connect Teams across Moray. Mindful Creations CIC is working with local charities and statutory organisations to ensure those who will benefit most are first in line.
Each pack has cost around £8. Funding towards the project has been received from Foundation Scotland from its Response Fund and The William Grant Foundation's Covid-19 Emergency Fund, enhanced by generous donations from artists, individuals and local businesses across Moray.
So far 200 boxes have been made up and around 40 distributed.
Chris Andrews, director at Mindful Creations CIC, said some amazing donations had been received, adding: "We're just so happy to be able to do something positive.
"I think the packs will be almost like receiving a Christmas present. They include some really good-quality items.
"We hope these bring joy and creativity into people's lives while they are restricted during the pandemic.
"The project has given a lot of joy to the volunteers who have been able to do something meaningful.
"Some people have been a bit lost in lockdown but there have been so many amazing community efforts and hopefully this will continue."
Mindful Creations CIC makes and sells woodcraft products from its Burghead community workshop and teaching rooms, using the profits to help people with hidden mental health disabilities learn woodwork skills. The social enterprise works to reduce waste by finding creative and socially inclusive ways to reuse and upcycle materials while inspiring development, learning and enterprise.
To find out more visit www.mindfulcreations.org.
