Creative Activities for wellbeing with artist Sofia Barton

We believe having access to creative opportunities is fundamental to living happy healthy lives.  
Creativity is closely linked to positive mental well-being. It’s a powerful outlet for self-expression, helps process emotions and reduces stress. Creativity promotes a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment, and empowerment, contributing to a positive mindset and enabling folks to manage change and uncertainty due to increased resilience. 

With this in mind and thanks to Healthier Together North East, we were able to commission artist Sofia Barton to design a few creative activities for families and young people in our Mortal Fools community.  

Keep reading to find out more and download the activities. 

Reasons to have a go at Sofia’s creative activities:  

• The activities are a stress-reliever, promote relaxation, offer escapism, and will reduce cortisol levels, contributing to a sense of calm. 
• It’s an outlet for self-expression, an opportunity to play and make sense of the world. 
• Just having a go will trigger dopamine and promote a positive mood. 
• Engaging in the creative process will stimulate the brains and enhance neural connections improving cognitive function and ability to problem solve and “think outside the box”.  
• ​And most importantly, it will be fun! 
  
  

Each activity is downloadable below, with their own instructions from artist Sofia and are light touch. 

The series of activities are perfect for embedding creativity at home/community setting across a week like Children’s Mental Health Week, or for rainy day afternoons or at times when things feel a bit tricky.  

The activities are designed to be self-led but with a parent, carer, youth worker, teacher supporting the activity. This is especially important with younger children. 

Materials to have to hand that might be useful ahead of doing the activities: 

• Paper 
• ​Pencil 
• Pen 
• Old wrapping paper, magazines, leaflets – things to collage/cut up. 
• Coloured Pencils and/or felt tips 
• Scissors 
• Glue/tape. 
• A phone/iPad to take photos 
• A spoon 
• Coloured liquids (for the Happy Accidents activity) 

Artwork by Sofia Barton

• Take 5 activity  

This activity does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s an opportunity to “take 5” be creative, be present and notice things around you.  
Download the Take 5 Activity by clicking here. 

• Paper Sculptures activity  

Let your imagination go wild, using paper to create a monster or new invention. 
Download the Paper Sculptures Activity by clicking here. 

• Journey activity 

Draw out a visual representation of what you’d see on a journey – it could be a journey to school, to visit a friend, to your favourite place or on a fantastical adventure.  
Download the Journey Activity by clicking here. 

• Happy Accidents 

Turn your “happy accidents” (aka dripping coloured water randomly onto paper) into fun doodles.  
Download the Happy Accidents Activity by clicking here. 

Watch the video tutorial here and do the activity along with artist Sofia. 

• Draw Your Breath 

A breathing activity with some mindful drawing and colouring in.  
Download the Draw Your Breath Activity by clicking here. 

And that’s it – 5 creative activities from artist Sofia Barton!  

You can find out more about Sofia’s work via their website. Sofia is a socially engaged British South Asian artist, who is best known for her unique fusion of Indian matchbox art, brightly coloured graphics, and Punjabi-inspired masterpieces. 
Check out Sofia’s website by clicking here.  

This activity series was supported by Healthier Together North East. Healthier Together is a website full of trusted NHS healthcare advice digital resources, advice and guidance for folks in the North East and North Cumbria. 

On the site you’ll find information about things physical health, illness & mental health related, created with NHS clinicians, to ensure the best advice for parents, carers, young people, and health professionals. 
Check out Healthier Together website by clicking here.