Creative project visit to the Holy Well

The Birmingham body and movement sessions run approximately every two weeks. As an extension to this programme, Micro Rainbow and the body and movement team hold a creative project twice a year. This October the Birmingham creative project took nineteen members of the Micro Rainbow community to into rural Warwickshire, to the village of Southam.

The adventure started on a crisp autumn morning, where our beneficiaries gathered at the meeting point to join the transport to Southam. The journey gave our beneficiaries the opportunity to meet and talk to each other. The spirits were high with excitement for the day ahead.

On the approach to Southam we were greeted by scenic views of the countryside. It was lovely to be in nature and to see an array of animals including sheep, cows and horses. As the coach pulled up, we were welcomed by the project facilitators and a local artist, Deborah Dutton.

Beginning the session

The session began with the group gathering into a circle for a wellbeing check-in, to introduce themselves and share how they were feeling. Then, we all shared what we hoped to achieve from the day. For the first activity, each participant was given a blank piece of paper and asked to select their favourite paintbrush, which were of various thicknesses. They then selected a paint from the colour palette.

We were encouraged to think about how we were feeling and use the paint brush to create strokes or marks across the paper. We could use the colours to express emotions and current mood. There was time for reflection, and to discuss how the work made us feel. The group members had a chance to explain why they chose specific colours, and the meanings behind the patterns they created.

Warming up our bodies and connecting with our surroundings

Building upon our introductions the facilitators led a warmup exercise. Participants were encouraged to close their eyes and connect to their surroundings. In pairs we guided each other around the room, one with closed eyes. The exercise encouraged participants to build trust and think about their surroundings and how it made them feel. 

We were then divided into two groups. Listening to music the first group were asked to move around the room using the music and their art works to inspire their movements. The second group were seated in the centre of the room and asked to paint what they saw. The group then came together to the painting area and were asked to create a background using the paints for a later activity.

Breaking for lunch and enjoying nature

We then paused for lunch, allowing time for everyone to talk with each other and reflect on the day so far. After enjoying the food, we headed out for a walk through the local area. This allowed the conversations to continue whilst experiencing the rural setting and admiring the local animals and wildlife.

Venturing through the local fields, we were encouraged to listen to the sounds: the sound of the river flowing and the crunch of the autumn leaves beneath our feet. We finally arrived at Southam’s Holy Well, which is thought to be the oldest recorded holy well in England. At the ancient monument, the group had time for reflection and photo opportunities before heading back to the venue.

Final reflections and creativity

On arriving back, the group returned to the painting area to their now dried backgrounds. We spent time reflecting on the experience of the day. These experiences and reflections were incorporated into the final creative session activities of the day. Participants created pieces of artwork that aimed to convey their feelings and experiences of the day.

We used the pots of paints and poured random patterns across several pieces of paper laid across the floor. Through movement and individual expression, we worked together to create a final a collaborative piece of art.