Creative Connections at Tend Collective

At Creative Connections you don't need to be "good at art." In fact, you don't need to think of yourself as artistic at all.

This isn't an art class where everyone follows the same instructions or takes home matching creations. Instead, we use open-ended creative materials to help parents and children connect, communicate, explore and simply enjoy being together.

There is no right or wrong.
No pressure to perform.
No expectation to produce something beautiful.

The value is found in the process of creating together.

In our hour and a half long sessions over five weeks this summer, you'll have opportunities to slow down, follow your child's lead, discover new ways of relating, and enjoy being present with one another through shared creative experiences.

Each session includes:

• Whole-family creative exploration
• A supportive parent reflection space while children continue with creative play
• Shared parent-child creative activities to reconnect and enjoy together

Our approach encourages:

• stronger parent-child connection
• children feeling seen, heard and understood
• confidence to express thoughts, feelings and ideas
• curiosity instead of correction
• playful communication
• emotional safety
• creativity without judgement
• opportunities for both children and adults to simply be themselves

Whether your child loves painting, prefers sticking bits of paper together, enjoys getting messy, or simply likes exploring materials in their own way, they are welcome exactly as they are.

Likewise, parents are invited to leave perfection at the door. This course isn't about making "Pinterest-worthy" crafts—it's about making meaningful moments together.

• Parents, carers or other primary caregivers with children from toddlers to primary school age.
• We recommend attending with one child to allow dedicated connection time, although siblings are very welcome if needed.
• Babes in arms are always welcome.

Creative Connections is facilitated by two qualified Play Therapists alongside a Forest School Teacher, bringing together therapeutic play, creativity, nature and relational approaches in a safe and welcoming environment.

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Awards for All through Tend Collective's Playing For Change project, this course is completely free to attend.

We believe every family should be able to access relational support regardless of financial circumstances.

If you are in a position to do so, optional donations are always warmly appreciated. As a small not-for-profit Community Interest Company, every donation helps us continue providing accessible programmes like this for local families.

Please know there is absolutely no expectation to donatewe- we want everyone to feel welcome, whatever their circumstances.

We can't wait to create, play and connect with you.