For: 11 – 25 year olds

OTR is a young people’s mental health charity. We run Art Works, a creative & arts-based wellbeing programme, with all sorts of different projects from book club to music workshops to trips to art galleries & cultural events. A big part of Art Works is the OTR Creative Drop-In which happens every Wednesday 4:30-6:30pm here at Windmill Hill City Farm in the John James Room.

If you are 11 to 25 years old and interested in creativity then this is for you!

What is the Creative Drop-In?

The drop-in is a great space to get creative whether you’ve tried it before or not, and whether you think of yourself as a creative person or not. At the sessions there’s usually a big table set up with lots of creative materials to try out. You can do your own thing or there’s always a small activity/possibility/creative option to have a go at. You can follow whatever feels exciting, and how you participate is totally up to you! If you want to bring a book to read or just daydream that’s also welcome.

How does creativity relate to mental health?

We set up the drop-in because we know that doing creative things can create a sense of wellbeing, and give us tools for supporting our mental health. We also think it’s super important to have a space to just be, to meet other young people, and to find a range of different ways to express ourselves (through colour or mark-making or comic books or crochet or scribbling or whatever feels right!). This isn’t a talking therapy session, it’s more of a creative community space.

You don’t need to sign up for the drop-in, you can just show up on the day (although we will ask you to fill out a small form when you arrive). You can find out more about Art Works, the Creative Drop-In and OTR here.

If you’ve never been before and are feeling nervous, if you have any access requirements, or if you’d just like to have a chat before coming along, you can text/whatsapp Isla (she/her) on 07539 751 745 or email isla@otrbristol.org.uk.