Creative Recovery

19/10/2026

TONIGHT 5-7pm at Prospect!

Come and pop in for a brew and stay for story sticks and chats.

We'd like to invite local creative practitioners to the next session in our Nurture Programme...

'Artist Journeys' with Lee Sass & Helen Boutle
Monday 19th October 5-7pm at Creative Recovery HQ

Artists and Creative Health Practitioners Helen Boutle and Lee Sass introduce two ways to explore your creative path.

Explore how to acknowledge your unique approach, skills and experiences to fully appreciate the journey that brings you to where you are - and cast a light towards future paths.

No booking required - just turn up!

This session is designed to boost practitioner wellbeing, give space for reflection and peer support.

The Nurture Programme has been developed by Creative Recovery CIO, in Partnership with Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance, and with funding from BMBC Public Health.

12/10/2026

If you're a Creative Health Practitioner and would like to feel a bit more confident in how you speak about your work, join us for 'FEELING CONFIDENT IN YOUR CREATIVE PRACTICE'

Maybe you need a confidence boost! Join ‘WE GREAT LADIES’ for an evening that is sure to put a spring in your step.

Thursday 12th November 6-8pm at Barnsley Civic.

No need to book - just turn up!

The Creative Health Practitioner Support Programme is designed to develop the confidence and skills of our Freelance Workforce in Barnsley, and has been developed by Creative Recovery CIO, in partnership with Barnsley CIVIC and Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance, and with funding from BMBC Public Health.

10/10/2026

This World Mental Health Day, we’re reflecting on the power of sharing our stories, the importance of being heard, and the connections that can grow when we create space for people to speak openly about their experiences.

On Wednesday evening, eight incredible storytellers came together for ‘In My Own Words’ - a special event marking the culmination of a six-week writing programme inspired by The Moth storytelling nights.

Each storyteller took to the stage to share their own personal account of lived experience, offering us an honest, moving and deeply human insight into their worlds.

It was an incredibly powerful evening. Every story was unique, yet together they reminded us of the importance of sharing our stories to help us make sense of our experiences, feel less alone, and build understanding and connection with others.

It was an absolute privilege to listen to each person share their story with such courage, honesty and generosity. We know that putting our experiences into words and sharing them with others isn’t always easy, and we are so grateful to everyone who trusted us with a piece of their world. A special thanks also has to go out to our audience who listened so intently giving our storytellers the care and attention their stories deserved.

This World Mental Health Day, let’s keep making space for stories, keep listening without judgement, and keep reminding one another that every story matters, every voice deserves to be heard, and no one should have to feel alone.

“We may start as strangers, but by the end of the story we are closer - and that is the ultimate point. The act of sharing personal stories builds empathy and out of many stories we become one community.
It starts with a single story.”
[From ‘The Moth: How to tell a story’]

This evening was funded and supported by Barnsley Council public health and Barnsley Libraries. It was part of the Library Lates programme.

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day and while we, at Creative Recovery passionately focus everyday on the wellbeing of Barnsley folk, it’s also important to acknowledge all our Artists, staff, helpers and volunteers- the beating heart of CR, who work tirelessly to hold hope, inspire and nurture our community.

This week Barnsley has hosted the international ‘Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance’ International Conference at Barnsley Civic. This banner hung throughout, reminding us that freelancers, artists and joy bringers need nurturing too. Creative health is a hard fought area of work. Freelancers are often unsupported, self-initiators, driven by a passion for
people and creativity, giving much of themsleves to their work.

CR is committed to working with others to nurture the creative health workforce. Thanks to BMBC public health and support from CHWA we have developed this nuture programme. There are still events that creative practitioners can access, that we hope will help folk feel more connected and supported in their work.

Today we send our heartfelt gratitude to eveyone who has supported our community. We are constantly amazed by all you bring. ❤️❤️❤️

08/10/2026

Such an inspiring evening tonight at Barnsley Civic. Blown away by the talents, dedication and achievements of the Creative Recovery Community. Thanks to all who joined us to ‘bring the quirky’. You rock!

Lucy Dewsnap Fine Art and Photography
Louise Ann Wright
Oddly Harriet
Sandra Short
Nina Brown
Corinne White
Sara Green
Paula Green
Diane Deborah Phillips

07/10/2026

There's not much time left until the deadline to apply for our People Grower role!

Please send your CV along with a cover letter explaining your skills and experience relevant to this
opportunity to [email protected] by 6pm on Sunday 11th October.

The People Grower will help grow our volunteer offer, creating meaningful opportunities for people to get involved, develop their skills and contribute to the CR community.

The role will support participants into volunteer helper roles, nurture volunteers and help seed new volunteer-led ideas and initiatives, making sure people feel supported, valued and able to make a difference.

This is a part-time freelance role for 34 weeks - 6 hours per week on average, at a rate of £27 per hour. The contract runs from November 2026 to June 2027.

You can find the full brief with all of the details about the role and responsibilities here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kTmvCwpbLj2YoT-Xfu7sC3ARV4KE0eJ_H8OmA8bPfLQ/edit?usp=drive_link

The application deadline is 6pm on Sunday 11th October.

If this feels like a good fit for you, we’d love to hear from you. If this role isn't for you, but you think you know someone who would fit right in, feel free to pass the info on.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

07/10/2026

We've got another Artists Breakfast coming up, this time focusing on self care.
Friday 6th November 9.30-11am at Creative Recovery HQ.

If you're a Creative Practitioner, this one is for you!

Join Luisa and the Creative Recovery core team to talk about ‘Practising well’. How do you keep motivated, maintain good boundaries and avoid stress and overwhelm while balancing the many tasks of freelance working?

Enjoy a buffet breakfast while connecting with colleagues, take time to pause, chat, and recharge.

No booking required - just turn up!

This session is designed to boost practitioner wellbeing, give space for reflection and peer support.

The Nurture Programme has been developed by Creative Recovery CIO, in Partnership with Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance, and with funding from BMBC Public Health.

06/10/2026

All CR regulars are invited to this creative social. Bring along things you have made, collected and achieved and join in with our show and tell, or chat to those around you about your creative passions!!

Let’s bring the quirky!! Xx

Calling all Creative Health Practitioners! You're invited to 'Bring the Quirky - share your creative passions'.

Join the Creative Recovery Community for a ‘Show and Tell’ celebrating all the whimsy Barnsley has to offer.

If you have an unusual collection, a special interest or a creative talent, we want to hear about it. Tables available to share your curiosities. Demonstrations very much welcome.

Thursday 8th October 6-8pm
No need to book - just turn up!

The Creative Health Practitioner Support Programme is designed to develop the confidence and skills of our Freelance Workforce in Barnsley, and has been developed by Creative Recovery CIO, in partnership with Barnsley CIVIC and Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance, and with funding from BMBC Public Health.

05/10/2026

One of our community members, Rebecca, has made this awesome video to tell everyone about the UPLIFT Choir.
We think she's done an amazing job!

If you're feeling a bit down, stuck, or like you’re not quite yourself? Come and UPLIFT your spirits with us!

Thursdays 2–4pm at St Paul’s Church Hall (off Greenfoot Lane)

(We take the occasional break, so check our socials just in case!)

03/10/2026

Next Wednesday, the Creative Recovery community are holding a very special event featuring spoken word performances inspired by The Moth storytelling phenomenon.

In My Own Words returns with a new cohort of storytellers ready to share their heartfelt tales of lived experiences.

With live music and refreshments, join us for an evening of beautifully crafted words that celebrate the diversity and commonality of human experience.

5 - 7pm on Wednesday 7th October at Library @ the Lightbox

Book your tickets here: https://my.barnsley.gov.uk/Events/BookTickets/50428