For nearly 20 years we at Creativity & Change have been building the capacity of changemakers to facilitate transformative learning - learning that transforms how people see the world, how they make sense of what is happening around them, and how they can be active in creating a better world. This approach can be expressed in the head/hands/heart model. We aim to engage all three in our work with learners. This involves critical literacy, active participation, and emotional engagement.
We believe that changemakers must practice the head/hand/heart model on a personal scale, tending to their own mind, body, and spirit. This is not just about being a more effective changemaker, it is also about expressing a way of being that is a reflection of the world we want to see. It gives permission for those around us to nurture their own wellbeing; taking care of ourselves is, as Audre Lorde says, a political act.
We have created this wellbeing space within Creativity & Change as we know it is challenging to be an activist or a GCE educator, to use your energy, passion, and creativity to try and counter injustice and create a better future.
Within Pause, Explore, Flourish you will find some well researched models providing ways to nurture wellbeing. One model is the Five Ways to Wellbeing developed by the New Economic Forum in the UK. The other model is from Dr. Seligman, who developed the field of Positive Psychology and its efforts to scientifically explore human potential. You will also find 65 creative exercises that have potential to support your wellbeing and resilience.
There are many ways to engage whether you have 5 minutes, half an hour, or half a day. You may feel like reading something inspiring. You may like to be guided in relaxation or guided visualisation. You may choose to write, create, doodle, move, or connect with nature. However you choose to engage, we hope that in this space there is something that will capture your unique body, mind, and imagination and that you will be inspired and feel your sense of wellbeing growing.
You can access the resource through this link.
Can you imagine making a creative nurturing space for others based on these resources?
We have developed a tool kit to facilitate you to create exactly this whether you have access to a small room or nook, or a hall or exhibition space.
Please see the instruction guide below and the downloadable files below.