Arts

Join us for a creative Card Making course at Parkstone Connect, a vibrant day centre dedicated to adults with learning difficulties. Our welcoming environment fosters creativity and fun. Participants will explore a variety of card-making techniques, including stamping, embossing, and die-cutting, to craft beautiful, personalized cards. Led by experienced tutors, the course provides all materials and offers step-by-step guidance, ensuring everyone can enjoy the process and create stunning cards to share with loved ones. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, our supportive community is here to help you unleash your artistic potential.

This workshop has been set up to create a festive and beautiful Christmas wreath using a variety of materials and techniques. You will learn how to design, assemble, and decorate a wreath, gaining both skills and a finished product to take home. You will leave the workshop with a handcrafted Christmas wreath and the knowledge to create more in the future. The workshop aims to foster creativity, provide a fun and festive activity, and enhance your holiday decor skills. No experience is needed as the tutor will offer full support and guidance to help you make your Christmas Wreath.

This festive course combines the joys of holiday crafting and cooking to help participants prepare for a memorable Christmas season. Students will learn to create beautiful handmade decorations, gifts, and ornaments, as well as delicious holiday treats and meals. Through hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and interactive activities, participants will develop skills in various crafts and culinary techniques, all centred around the Christmas theme. This course aims to inspire creativity, bring out holiday cheer, and equip students with the skills to make their Christmas celebrations special and personal.

Join our festive Christmas Macramé course and learn how to craft beautiful handmade gifts for the holiday season! This four-session course, with each class lasting two hours, will teach you essential macramé techniques, including the larks head knot, square knot, clove hitch knot, berry knot, and how to make tassels using a gathering knot. Throughout the course, you will create personalized Christmas ornaments, a decorative wall hanging, and a stylish plant hanger – perfect as gifts for loved ones or to add a festive touch to your home. This course is ideal for beginners and crafters who want to explore a new skill while celebrating the season!

Are you looking for a relaxing hobby to help you unwind? Creating moments of calm in the day is essential for our emotional well-being and mental health. Step into the world of mindful crafts with this course and enjoy art for relaxation. This creativity course allows you to explore your art and craft skills to find practices that soothe you. Whether you enjoy drawing, painting, origami, or craft-making, art courses can help you find a relaxing hobby.

All our Care2 courses are completely free for unpaid carers (or those who have previously been carers). You do not need to receive a carer's allowance to qualify. If you are unsure, please contact our call centre advisors who will be able to assist you. Would you like to learn a little British Sign language whilst singing and signing along to some favourite Christmas Carols and popular songs? This course is a follow on from the hugely popular first course that ran at the Reading Rooms last year. You do not need to have attended the first course to participate on this one. Join guest tutor Debbie Young at the Reading Rooms in Billericay on this fun and interactive one-off free course for carers, their companions, supporters e.g. volunteers/staff and former carers as part of the Care 2 delivery. If you have an interest in learning a new language but aren’t sure about signing, come along to this fun session to learn more about BSL and deaf culture.

Join us for a festive Christmas Wreath Making Workshop where creativity meets sustainability! Using recycled twigs and fresh green foliage, you will craft a beautiful holiday wreath adorned with fern, holly, and berries. This hands-on class will guide you through selecting materials, wrapping and intertwining branches, and attaching fresh greenery. Learn simple floristry techniques to create a splendid wreath that reflects your unique style. Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this workshop promises a delightful and eco-friendly way to celebrate the season. By the end of the class, you'll walk away with a handcrafted wreath that will be the perfect addition to your holiday décor.

Get into the festive spirit with our Craft: Christmas Craft course. Learn techniques for creating beautiful and unique Christmas decorations and gifts. Ideal for crafters looking to make their holiday season special.

The course aims to encourage learners to attend art exhibitions and/or musical events with a greater background knowledge in order to enhance appreciation. If actual attendance is not possible, to undertake independent research and hence, enjoy a more active and cultural lifestyle. The class also offers an opportunity for learners to interact socially with like- minded people in intellectual pursuits. It also encourages learners to acquire critical and analytical skills through debate and discussion. The course covers all styles and periods from the Renaissance to the present day. It is multi media to accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences. It is suitable for beginners and connoisseurs alike.

Join us for an exciting new course designed for beginner needle felters! If you're curious about this versatile craft, this is the perfect opportunity to learn the basics and beyond. We'll introduce you to the essential equipment and materials needed to create various patterns and shapes. Throughout the course, you'll explore different techniques for sculpting wool into beautiful creations. Skills covered and enhanced will include understanding different types of wool and needles, mastering basic felting techniques, and creating both flat and three-dimensional pieces. You'll also learn how to incorporate embellishments and combine colours effectively.