Hello Everyone, 

​We have now recruited Georgia, as the new leader of the Hope Workshop sessions for Creative Options. We are looking for crafty and creative members and client referrals to join our group, and make some amazing products inspired by art and hope as a whole! We are then going to be selling the pieces to raise money for the charity. What a great cause! 


We are currently working together on Zoom, but will be meeting in person as soon as we are able to do so safely! 

If you’d like to pop in to a session online to learn a little more, and see what we are doing you can find us here: 
Tuesdays | 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Zoomlink:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2458099175?pwd=VHlLYitUUzBPb0laanRONTl3c1ZyUT09

While on zoom we are going to be learning how to make different kinds of books, and how they can be used therapeutically. These can then be used by our customers as journals, sketchbooks and so much more. Don’t worry though if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, as we are going to need artists to make artwork for the covers, and insides too! 

If you are interested and would like to talk to sooner to Georgia about how to get a materials pack to get making, or have any other questions, please email her on the link below:
Creativeoptionshopeworkshop@gmail.com

​We hope to see you soon! 

As we head into a bleak winter with restrictions on our social contacts and all kinds of activities, with troubling consequences for many people's mental health and wellbeing, the saying 'All Things Must Pass' seemed particularly apt. The original quote came from the bible I believe, but a more contemporary reference is when George Harrison, of Beatle fame, used the phrase for the title of his successful 1970 triple album.

“All Things Must Pass”
Sunrise doesn’t last all morning
A cloudburst doesn’t last all day
Seems my love is up and has left you with no warning
It’s not always going to be this grey
All things must pass
All things must pass away
Sunset doesn’t last all evening
A mind can blow those clouds away
After all this, my love is up and must be leaving
It’s not always going to be this grey
All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass
None of life’s strings can last
So, I must be on my way
And face another day
Now the darkness only stays the night-time
In the morning it will fade away
Daylight is good at arriving at the right time
It’s not always going to be this grey
All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass
All things must pass away

Click here to listen to George Harrison singing this track

Wishing you well in these challenging times

Some of you may recall the late great Ian Drury. “Reasons To Be Cheerful, Pt. 3” was released by Stiff Records in 1979 and reached number 3 in the UK singles chart. The link takes you to an inspiring live performance with the Blockheads in 2010.

As 2020 comes to an end, there are indeed reasons to be cheerful, quite apart from the vaccines on the way. Its been a really tough year and next year will be even tougher for many people, but we've also seen waves of unprecedented compassion and courage which should be celebrated and valued in the future. Local communities have rallied to help people in need, whether through isolation, poor health, financial difficulties or bereavement. The pandemic has highlighted those essential services we depend on for a semblance of normality, and the courage of those who keep them going often at risk to themselves and their families. Not only hospital and health care staff, but also teachers and social care workers, supermarket workers, delivery people, factory and farm workers, hospitality and public transport workers.

The experiences of 2020 have enabled a wider public discussion around mental health, with better recognition of how looking after our mental health can be just as important as our physical health. The potential is there for a kinder, more accepting and enabling approach to mental health care and support in our communities and public services.

Ian Drury's 'Reason's to be Cheerful Pt 3' may not be everyone's cup of tea, so here's an uplifting poem I found from a collection by Ana Sampson . It resonated with me as a New Year message.

New Every Morning by Susan Coolidge
Every day is a fresh beginning,
Listen my soul to the glad refrain.
And, spite of old sorrows
And older sinning,
Troubles forecasted
And possible pain,
Take heart with the day and begin again.

Wishing you well in these challenging times, and for the year ahead,