Bloom
Creative Wellbeing
The Nidd Creative Wellbeing Project
A celebration of creativity, wellbeing and community across Nidderdale, North Yorkshire
Spring - Summer 2025
The Nidd Creative Wellbeing Project was a celebration of creativity, wellbeing, and community across rural Nidderdale. Funded by the Two Ridings Community Foundation, it brought together children, parents, carers, and local community members through a series of imaginative, inclusive workshops — from worry dolls to windmills, mindful mandalas to community singing.
10
CREATIVE WELLBEING
WORKSHOPS
100+
PARTICIPANTS
OF ALL AGES
100%
WANTED
MORE WORKSHOPS
Worry Dolls
Children and parents explored creativity while making their own worry dolls, inspired by the Guatemalan tradition of sharing worries with a small figure and letting them go.
Using wooden pegs, fabric, buttons, wool, and ribbons, participants created colourful, tactile dolls that encouraged imaginative expression and emotional release.
The workshop offered a calm, playful space where children and adults could pause, connect, and enjoy the simple joy of making something personal.
Windy Sticks and Whirligigs
In this hands-on session, children crafted spinning windmills, ribbon wands, and breathing sticks to explore movement, play, and mindfulness.
The tactile, sensory-rich activities helped children focus, regulate, and enjoy the simple pleasure of creating something that responds to the breeze and their breath.
Meanwhile, mums enjoyed their own moment of calm in the nearby Brew & Breathe space, showing how creativity can nurture wellbeing for the whole family.
Brew and Breathe
This gentle workshop offered carers a calm space to relax, connect, and focus on self-care while creating small, soothing crafts.
Participants made lavender breath bags for a moment of calm, bath teabags filled with epsom salts and lavender, and tactile breathing tools, all designed to encourage mindfulness and emotional regulation in daily life.
Laughter, conversation, and hands-on making created a nurturing community experience where carers could feel seen, supported, and recharged.
Story Stones and Sparkle
Children designed story stones, painting characters and symbols to inspire imaginative storytelling.
These creations were brought to life through storyboards, role play, and performance, allowing participants to express themselves, collaborate, and build confidence.
The session combined tactile craft, narrative play, and joyful creativity, fostering cognitive flexibility, emotional expression, and shared family fun.
Community Singalong
Over 60 participants joined us for a joyful evening of singing, connection, and celebration in Pateley Bridge.
From feel-good summer songs to heartfelt tunes about friendship and belonging, the session built community spirit, lifted moods, and brought people together across generations.
Imperfect (and welcome) notes, laughter, and shared music created a powerful sense of joy, connection, and collective wellbeing.