We provide spaces for people to Connect using Creativity.
We believe mindful creativity is an underutilised wellbeing tool that should be accessible to all.
Creatful is cross generational and inclusive so we can create spaces for all people to feel welcome and safe. We provide creative events in Waterlooville, Havant, Portsmouth and other parts of Hampshire.
Creatful is a social enterprise – that means whatever money we make from our workshops goes straight back into delivering more for our community.
Who Are We?
Our Founding Director
Creatful was born after founder Nancy found herself stuck between two NHS mental health services, not meeting the requirements to be treated by either. After being left with no choice but to fund her own treatment and finding a lack of a creative outlet throughout her journey, Nancy strived to create a safe space for people just like her.
“Hi, I’m Nancy. I was born in Liverpool and I now live in Waterlooville. First and foremost, I am a Mother to Aria age 10 and Harvey age 8. I trained as a product designer and design manager originally then spent 14 years in the corporate world. I’ve lived with diagnosed mental health illness for 10 years. Along with medication and therapy, creativity has been critical to my own mental health journey and continued recovery.
I have a passion for making sure all people have spaces in their communities where they feel safe and welcomed. I believe we can use creativity to bring people together and empower people to manage their wellbeing.”
– Nancy Fellows
Our Directors
Lara Kynvin
I’m Lara and I’ve been a part of Creatful since 2022 as a volunteer. This year I became a director and I haven’t looked back.
I work for the NHS as a lived experience consultant, run the Denmead Community Cafe and I am passionate about suicide prevention. You can read more about my mental health journey here.
I live in Waterlooville with my dog Lily who sometimes joins us at our events.
Elodi Fellows
Hello, I am Elodi Fellows. I am a proud mother of 3 beautiful boys, Zeek (15) Eli (7) and Cassius (1). I also work full time as a Strategic Account Manager within the Telecom industry which has me travelling the length of the country up to three times a week.
With the pressures of managing a hectic family schedule along with a demanding target driven career, I have always been mindful of the importance of mental health and the need to arm yourself with self love tools and regular ‘check ins’ on both yourself and others (my preferred route being a monthly massage / sound bath :))
I have been fortunate enough to support Nancy from the beginning of her Creatful journey and witness first hand the real life impact she and her craft and chat groups have had on our local community and so I jumped at the chance to take a Directors role when offered in the hope that we could utilise some of my skill set to support the growth of the business to ensure Nancy is able to provide her support and resources to many more to come.
I hope to meet you at one of our future events where you can witness first hand the joys of Creatful!
Our Volunteers
We are supported by an army of kind and compassionate volunteers who understand our cause and believe in what we do. We invite adults of all ages, abilities and skill sets to join our team. From making tea, sharing creative skills to designing websites we have many tasks we need support with. Get in touch now to find out more and get involved.
Our Facilitators
Most of our events are facilitated by our founder Nancy. We also work with some external facilitators:
Maryna
Maryna is a Ukrainian artist currently running our Ukrainian art programme in Havant and Petersfield. Maryna studied drawing and fine art as part of her degree in fashion design. Specialising in acrylic and oil paintings, Maryna is inspired by nature, especially sunsets skies and a magic play of light: “In my painting I try to fix a moment, when breath stops from exciting beauty”
The other part of her art is symbolic paintings as a subject of the philosophical and her own reflection. These symbols are reproducing the history of Ukraine and the role of women in national self-determination and protection of new generation.
Jane
In 2022 Jane created her own CIC, Marvellous Fabulous Projects to be able to facilitate, create and deliver projects that develop our community. She is the Youth Engagement Board Member for Pamodzi Creatives, and delivers projects that promote inspiration and positive mental health. Since starting her business, she has worked with and delivered projects alongside wonderful local Organisations such as Share (Portsmouth), STEMunity, The Lark Network, Unloc and many more.
Jane says “I passionately believe in the value of community, be that city-wide, local, or even at neighbourhood level. Connection and creativity meet so many of our basic human needs; to be seen, and heard and to express ourselves. To be involved in another project that provides that is really special to me”