Our recycled Pen art for Repair café Havant Nancy, our director, has been keeping her used pens over the past two years to create a wonderful piece of art to donate to Repair Café Havant as a really representative symbol of their ethos of reusing what many consider rubbish or waste for creative purposes. Nancy says “I always save all our empty pens in my pen grave yard, when I have enough I make art and donate it [...]

Meet Charlee, one of our wonderful Creatful volunteers Charlee volunteers at Project W and Creatful Havant. Charlee brings a calm, grounded presence that makes a world of difference. The women who attend these groups may be navigating challenges like homelessness, addiction, or abuse and Charlee meets each person with authenticity, compassion, and care. Her lived experience allows her to connect in ways that feel deeply meaningful. She helps create a space where women feel safe, seen, and [...]

Community Art in Action Community art has become a vibrant and essential part of Creatful’s creative health programme, and over the past year it has brought people of all ages together to make, imagine and connect in ways that strengthen wellbeing and community spirit. These projects aren’t just about making something beautiful; it's all about belonging, confidence, shared purpose and the quiet joy of creating side-by-side. Community art offers benefits that ripple far beyond the final [...]

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 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 [...]

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 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 [...]