Art of Recovery
Art of recovery - Portsmouth On Tuesday 24th March, The Green House in Victoria Park will open its doors for Art of Recovery Portsmouth, a powerful celebration of creativity, compassion and solidarity at the heart of our city. Running from 1–3PM, this exhibition brings together people, stories and artwork that challenge stigma and honour Portsmouth’s commitment to becoming an Inclusive Recovery City. This exhibition is curated by Creatful in collaboration with Project W [...]
The Power of Creative Health
The Power of Creative Health At Creatful, we believe creativity isn’t a luxury it’s a lifeline. Every week, we see how making, storytelling and connection help people breathe a little easier, feel a little stronger, and rediscover parts of themselves they thought were lost. Creative health is not about being “good at art”; it’s about having safe, supported spaces where people can express, explore and heal. The evidence is clear. In 2024, Australia became the [...]
Project W: A Safe Space for Women in Portsmouth
In 2024, Project W opened its doors in Portsmouth to create a safe, holistic space for women facing addiction, homelessness, and the lasting impacts of trauma. The project is rooted in lived experience, ensuring that every woman who walks through the door is met with understanding, compassion, and practical support. Every Wednesday and Thursday, women can drop in and access multiple services under one roof. Here, women can: Share a hot lunch in a welcoming environment [...]
Journaling for Early Emotional Literacy
Journaling has long been boxed into the "Dear Diary” stereotype — a linear, daily log of events and emotions. But what if we reframed it entirely? What if, from a young age, journaling was introduced not as a chore or a confessional, but as a creative, flexible tool for self-expression, reflection, and emotional regulation? Embedding journaling early in life — and removing the pressure to write neatly, consistently, or chronologically — can have profound long-term benefits for mental health. When [...]
Volunteer Spotlight – Rachel Fludder
Rachel has been a key volunteer since Creatful’s conception, helping to shape events and bringing new ideas and advice to the table. Rachel has stood by Creatful with unwavering dedication and loyalty over the years, and she continues to support our Creatful Stakes group every single week. Her kindness and non-judgemental approach create a space where people feel safe, seen and free to explore their creativity. She has a gift for helping others build confidence while simply being herself. [...]
How Mindful Creativity Transforms Women’s Addiction Recovery
How Mindful Creativity Transforms Women's Addiction Recovery Recovery isn't a straight line. For women in recovery, the journey involves countless small moments of courage, hope, and rediscovery. Here in our local community, we're witnessing something remarkable: mindful creativity is becoming a powerful tool for healing, connection, and lasting change. At Creatful, we've seen firsthand how art, mindfulness, and community support can transform lives. Our creative sessions aren't just about creating beautiful things; they're about helping women remember who they [...]
I’m a bit OCD
"I'm a bit OCD"…a phrase you probably hear on a regular-ish basis. Chances are the person saying it is referring to their preference for things to be undertaken in a certain way. The phrase is normally used innocently and without a second thought. Indeed the jovial tone usually accompanying the phrase often attracts smiles and sometimes even laughs from those in earshot. All in all then, you could easily be mistaken for thinking it's not a big deal. Unfortunately [...]
Waterlooville Music and Art FEST 2024
We had the honour of hosting the Creative Zone at Waterlooville Music and Art FEST this Summer. It was wonderful to see so many local residents come out to get involved and enjoy what was a beautiful day of community, music and creativity in the town centre We provided a number of varied craft activities with the support of our creative facilitators and volunteers; we had a range of childrens crafts on offer throughout the day, we made some community [...]
Alcohol awareness week 2024: 1-7th Jul
On 1st August 2020, I made an immediate decision to stop drinking alcohol after a mental health crisis that scared me. Although I wasn’t drunk all the time or drinking all the time, I realized I had started drinking for the wrong reasons and at unusual times of the day. I might down a shot of vodka or two while cooking dinner to try to stop my intrusive thoughts or drink a couple of glasses of wine so I [...]
Meet Maryna
Meet Maryna, our superstar from the Ukraine bringing people together through art. Maryna is a Ukrainian artist who studied drawing and fine art as part of her degree in fashion design. Back in April 2023, Maryna joined the Creatful team as a volunteer. Fast forward to today, and in little over a year, Maryna's impact has been truly inspiring. It quickly became apparent to Creatful that Maryna possessed both the skillset and mindset to really make waves. It was [...]
We are Creatful – Elodi
Elodi Fellows is one of our directors and supports our business strategy. You may have seen her at one of our events but she mainly helps out in the background."Hello, I'm Elodi. 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 [...]