Wellbeing Wednesday: The calming effects of creative crafting

Since soldiers during the First World War turned to basket weaving as a form of occupational therapy to help overcome anxiety, scientific evidence has been growing that working on arts and crafts can help people to feel happier, calmer and more energetic the next day.

In normal circumstances, joining a local craft club can be an effective way of coping with depression or social isolation by giving people an all-important sense of purpose or belonging. In today's unsettling times, it is important to find other ways of staying positive and boosting our wellbeing.

Our talented colleagues around Unipart Group have been sharing the different ways in which they have managed to focus on their welbeing and keep on creating through the lockdown ... 

Kathryn Sansbury, IT graduate - NHS Supply Chain 

"Together with other members of my family, I recently attended an online painting lesson where we were taught how to paint Monet's Yellow Irises. We turned it into a competition and although none of us are avid painters, it was a bit of welcome fun in lockdown.

PopUp Painting regularly holds free online lessons where you can paint along at home whilst enjoying a glass of wine!

Dave Tilmouth, Head of Marketing and Communications - Unipart Rail

"I've been watching the Grayson Perry art program on Monday evenings, and set myself a challenge to do a self-portrait a day. Here's Day 1. Facebook wasn't kind...."

Click here to see more examples of artwork and other creative crafting by colleagues at Unipart Rail.

Livio Lobo, IT Middleware Analyst - Unipart Logistics

"I have painted and drawn all my life and am best known for the cards (birthdays and special occasions) that I normally paint for colleagues and friends. I am interested in motorsport and have always wanted to paint a picture of this car, especially given its connection with Unipart. Because of the detail involved it would require me to change my way of painting from a free flowing style to a more stricter style, and I just never got round to it.

So as I found I had more time due to lockdown, I decided to bite the bullet and attempt this painting (see video below)... I think it turned out ok?" 

Deb Astles, HR Director, Corporate Responsibility and Policy - Unipart Group

Deb Astles prefers to relax at the potter's wheel and shows in this video how she used her modelling skills to create her very own Sumo wrestler!

If you have been finding ways of getting creative with arts and crafts during lockdown, please share the details on Spark and inspire other colleagues!

Our Employee Assistance Provider called LifeWorks, has a wide range of resources that can help you to maintain your well-being.

If you are struggling with any aspect of life, you can get free, confidential support from independent caring counsellors 24/7, via the phone number on 0800 169 1920 or through unipart.lifeworks.com or the LifeWorks mobile app. 

If you don't already have a log in, find out more about how to sign up here.