Feedback, Impact and Learning
Insights from Mindful Arts Hub’s work to date
The feedback shared here reflects what participants have told us about their experiences, the impact these sessions have had, and what we are continuing to learn as this work grows.
We use community feedback to shape our practice and ensure our work remains accessible, responsive, and grounded in care.
SNAPSHOT SUMMARY
Positive feedback on the workshop experience: Respondents greatly enjoyed the workshop, finding it very calming, low-pressure, and a positive experience, with some not having other feedback beyond their love for the session.
Appreciation for the facilitator (Sandrya): The facilitator was praised as amazing, brilliant, welcoming, friendly, and lovely, creating a very safe and comfortable environment.
Learning and Inspiration: Participants felt inspired, learned many techniques, and were motivated to continue mindful drawing as self-care, with one expressing a desire to buy pens and paper.
Resources: The variety of pens and resources was highlighted as enjoyable and helpful with several suggestions we should provide the opportunity to buy pens, paper and colouring pages made from the founder’s artworks.
Firstly and Most Importantly…
100%
of participants feel safe, welcome and included
“Sandrya was very welcoming and friendly”
Sandrya was so lovely and created a very safe environment. Thank you so much :)
“You were an amazing facilitator- made me feel really comfortable and just perfect for such a session”
“Art Tutor was so welcoming and friendly giving easy to follow instructions”
What Motivated Participants to Take Part
Participants rarely attended for just one reason with 70% selecting three or more motivations. Most arrived with a combination of needs; emotional, practical, and creative.
This suggests the sessions meet people at the intersection of wellbeing and creativity, offering a low-barrier, non-clinical space for self-regulation, rest, and creative engagement.
70% were interested in creativity or art
50% wanted a calm place to unwind
30% wanted time for themselves
50% wanted to manage stress or anxiety
80% were curious about mindful drawing
BEFORE
82% of participants arrived feeling a combination of:
Stressed
Tired
Anxious
Low Mood
60%
Felt more grounded in their body
60%
More connected to others
AFTER
100%
Felt more relaxed
90%
Felt positive
50%
Felt less anxious/overwhelmed
100% say the sessions help them relax
60% feel more grounded in their body
50% feel less anxious /overwhelmed
“Relaxing,calm and very engaging.”
“The session immediately calmed me down. I could have continued for hours.“
“Very calming and a brilliant teacher”
“I felt relaxed and lost in my art for a period of time.
“ it was really nice to be in a space that felt low pressure and genuinely calmed me down.”
80% were curious about mindful drawing
70% were interested in art/creativity
“Didn't know what to expect but I really enjoyed the workshop, Sandrya was very welcoming and friendly, and she had so many pens and resources.”
“ I loved the pens and finding ones that I enjoyed using.”
It was wonderful and well resourced. I loved all the colourful pens, I felt like a child again :)
“I felt so inspired as learned many techniques”
“…she had a great sets of pens and pencils for us to choose from. All the materials were provided alongside a nice hot cuppa, cake and biscuits.”
84% were inspired to continue drawing as a self-care practice
“ I felt so inspired as learned many techniques and her work gave me more motivation to practise this mindful self care drawing in a regular basis as soon as I got home as it really helped calm my stress levels. “
“I really enjoyed this workshop. It made me want to go and buy pens and paper to continue drawing!”
How we are using community engagement to shape our work
Participant feedback helps shape how this work develops. Insights so far highlight the value of varied session lengths, accessible locations, clear arrival information, and opportunities to explore different creative materials. These reflections guide our future planning and helps ensure our work remains responsive, inclusive, and valuable to the community we pledge to serve.
Session Length
Some felt the session could be longer (up to 2 hours) to allow for deeper immersion, while others preferred a shorter duration (around 1 hour) to maintain concentration.
Solution: We plan to offer different "levels" of workshops, shorter "taster" sessions and longer "masterclasses."
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“If the sessions were longer. Perhaps, earlier in the day too.”
“More time “
“Would love 1 hour mark as after that I found I lost concentration :)”
“Personally I thought the session could be a bit longer like 2 hours”
“Would love more specialised workshops or more guided things eg first 15 mins for one style etc and there’s for freehand”
Timing Availability
There is a split in preferences for timing. Some participants requested evening sessions (after 5 PM) or weekend availability to accommodate work schedules, while others suggested earlier times.
Solution: Offering a mix of weekday, evening and weekend slots would help increase accessibility to our sessions, especially for those in employment.
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“If the sessions were longer. Perhaps, earlier in the day too.”
“The class was perfect. Perhaps available for after 5pm start for when most people would finish work “
“Weekend or evening availability as I work full time. “
Environment & Atmosphere
Feedback indicated a desire for a "view to an outside space" or a more "natural setting".
One participant also suggested adding "low and relaxing background music" to further support the calming atmosphere.
Solution: One of our long-term ambitions is to establish a dedicated Mindful Arts Hub HQ. A space designed specifically to support the calm, mindful nature of our work.
Until that becomes possible, we take care to shape the environments we work in. When venues allow, we introduce natural elements and gentle, mindful touches to help create a calmer, more supportive atmosphere for participants.
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“A view to an outside space.”
“More natural setting.”
“Some low and relaxing background music “
Variety of Mediums
When asked, participant said they’d be interested in other types of mindful creative sessions beyond drawing, such as watercolours and acrylics painting.
However, they still showed a broad openness to "Other arts and crafts" and "Anything calm, creative or slow moving", indicating that the core value for them is the mindful, creative atmosphere rather than just the specific activity of drawing.
Solution: As we grow we plan to expand the scope of mindful creative opportunities we offer.
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“The session was incredible. In the future, it’ll be great to see a more variety of mindful art. At the moment, it is just drawing however, I know some people who feel calm when they paint rather when they draw. It’ll be great to experiment with different types. Acrylic paints, watercolours, oil painting etc. Also, it’ll be great to have more drawing equipment at hand.”
“Anything calm, creative or slow moving”
“Paints”
“Would love more specialised workshops or more guided things eg first 15 mins for one style etc and there’s for freehand”
“Yes I’d be open to any creative sessions to inspire me”
“Further drawing classes”
Conclusion
Mindful Arts Hub delivers creative wellbeing sessions, not therapy or clinical treatment. We describe what participants report experiencing and use feedback to learn and improve, without making medical or therapeutic claims.
This ensures our work remains ethical, transparent, and appropriate for the communities we serve.
We welcome conversations with organisations, venues, and funders interested in accessible, creative approaches to wellbeing. If you’d like to explore how this work could support your community or organisation, we’d be happy to talk.
