Mental Health
Since 2018 we have been working in partnership with Shaw Trust, to provide 10 week courses of art & craft therapy to clients accessing the Live Well Kent programme in the Canterbury & Coastal area.
Live Well Kent is a mental health programme delivered by two different charities (Shaw Trust and Porchlight) on behalf of Kent County Council and the NHS.
“The difference that The Activity Box has made to my life is astronomical. My time with you has made more difference to my life than all of the other support I have received over the years, put together.”
“The Activity Box has made my world.”
Anybody over the age of 17, who is struggling to manage their mental health, can access Live Well Kent. For more information or to make a referral, please visit their website:
You can either refer yourself or ask somebody else to make the referral for you.
Live Well Kent can provide support around a range of different topics, including; employment, housing, finances, life skills, and social engagement. They work with a network of delivery partners to provide a robust offer of support, ranging from ‘Coping with Life’ courses, to social support groups, to money advice sessions, to bereavement counselling and various different types of art therapy.
“I feel supported and cared for, and having this creative outlet has led to a decrease in my suicidal thoughts.”
“Thank you so much for believing in me and for working together to support me. This is the first time that I have ever felt truly listened to by services and I’m so grateful to you all for taking the time to get to know me. I feel positive about the future for the first time in many years.”
Each Live Well Kent client that is referred to us here at The Activity Box, receives a programme of activities that are tailored to their specific needs and preferences. We work with them on an individual basis, to build confidence, develop a positive focus, learn new coping strategies, and build resilience, all while having lots of fun!
Did you know that arts and crafts are a valuable tool for use in mental health and wellbeing . Engaging in activities have been proven to alleviate anxiety,depression and stress by lowering the stress hormone in the body known as ‘Cortisol’. It can be lowered in the body whilst carrying out your chosen activity .
Creative acts such as pottery painting, decopatch and diamond art can help focus the mind and has even been compared to meditation due to its calming effects on the brain and body. Even just gardening, sewing and baking releases dopamine, a natural anti-depressant.
“This support has worked better for me than anything I have ever accessed in the past.”
Wednesday to Saturday 9-4 pm.
Pre-select your 16-inch furry friend to be filled with our super-soft fluff and a heart. The party guests then design and decorate a t-shirt with textile pens for their new friend to wear. Then there is an adoption certificate to colour in. The New Friends go home in a drawstring bag.
Everyone gets to decorate their initial with foam clay. It’s an air-drying modelling clay that can be moulded onto the pottery. There are 10 fabulous colours to choose from to create a 3d design that’s personal to you.
Let it GLOW! Party. Why not try something a little different?
What a fantastic way to celebrate your child’s birthday or special event! The children have fun in the company of their friends using imagination and colour to create a masterpiece of their own.
Other Party Ideas
Choose your child’s favourite short story and then pre-select either a 6inch tile or a regular plate. We will then prepare each piece of pottery by painting the outline of a character from the chosen story onto the selected item.