Reconnect! Project Summary 2023

Reconnect! Project Summary 2024 – 2025

The Reconnect! Workshop Programme 2024-25 offered a diverse range of engaging and creative sessions aimed at fostering community connection, environmental awareness, and personal development. There is now a network of around 300 (up 200 from last year) participants who have been attending across our Reconnect! events. This was funded through the National Lottery Awards for All Community Fund and the Sussex Community Foundation. We ran 40 events, covering confidence building and skills development, including creative skills, technical skills, and employability around sustainability.

Reconnect! Programme Report 2023/24

The Reconnect! programme has been a resounding success, offering a diverse range of creative workshops and events that have positively impacted participants’ well-being, social connections, and personal growth. This report analyzes the feedback provided by attendees, highlighting the programme’s strengths and areas for potential improvement.

The events focused on fostering a sense of community among participants and we took feedback from the community we were working with which helped us shape the programme and the skills that we shared as we went. This included participants wanting a focus on sustainability and environmental knowledge and skills, alongside recognising the camaraderie that came with the more creative and arts-based sessions. Where possible we made the sessions family-friendly so that attendees would not have to struggle to find childcare.

Event Diversity and Participation

The Reconnect! programme featured a wide array of activities, catering to various interests and skill levels:

• Art Workshops: Painting, Watercolors, Magic Inks
• Craft Workshops: Weaving, Felting, Clay, Lino-cutting, Printing
• Environmental Activities: Climate Cafe, Gardening Workshops
• Other Events: Marbling Workshop

This diverse offering ensured that participants could explore different creative outlets and find activities that resonated with their interests. The variety of events also encouraged repeat attendance, with many participants joining multiple workshops throughout the programme.

Positive Impacts

Skill Development and Creativity

A significant majority of participants reported learning new skills during the events. This aspect of the programme was particularly valued, with many expressing enthusiasm about engaging more with creativity and the arts as a result of their participation. The workshops provided a supportive environment for participants to explore their creative potential and gain confidence in their abilities.

Social Connection and Community Building

One of the most consistently reported benefits was the sense of connection participants felt with others. The events created a welcoming atmosphere where attendees could meet new people and form friendships. This social aspect was particularly important for those who may have felt isolated, contributing significantly to the overall positive experience.

Well-being and Mental Health

Overwhelmingly, participants reported that the events were beneficial for their well-being. The creative activities provided a form of relaxation and stress relief, with many describing the workshops as calming and meditative experiences. For some, the positive effects on mental health lasted beyond the duration of the event, highlighting the programme’s lasting impact.

Environmental Awareness and Sustainability

The Climate Cafe and gardening workshops successfully raised awareness about environmental issues and inspired participants to take action. Many reported an increased desire to live more sustainably and engage in climate action as a result of these events.

Confidence Building

Several participants noted that the events helped boost their confidence. This increased self-assurance extended beyond the creative realm, with some reporting feeling more confident about applying for jobs or volunteering opportunities.

This confidence bildng has not just been a facet for the partipants, but also for the event facilitators. Bringin in co-facilitators from within the community groups has allowed skills sharing that builds confidence and workplace skills. Facilitators themselves have developed new skills and developed programmes based increasingly around the needs of the communities we are working with as our relationships with local organisations and participants have deepened.

Event Highlights

Painting and Watercolor Workshops

These workshops were praised for their relaxed environment and the abundance of materials provided. Participants appreciated the opportunity to interpret music through art and the supportive atmosphere created by the instructors.

Weaving Workshop

Attendees enjoyed the friendly and supportive space, good instruction, and ample supply of materials. The workshop was noted for its relaxed atmosphere and the confidence it instilled in participants.

Felting Workshop

“We had such a lovely time at your felting workshop. It was so gentle and simple. I loved that we didn’t think about touching our phones for a couple of hours and that my son, although a bit reticent to attend joined in and enjoyed it too. It was brilliantly well facilitated too. We have got beautiful little decorations for the tree which have a little warm memory inside each one.” – Participant Feedback

This workshop was particularly appreciated for its gentle and simple approach. Participants found it relaxing and meditative, with many enjoying the opportunity to create decorations with personal meaning.

Lino-cutting and Printing Workshops

These workshops received high praise for their excellent instruction and the enjoyment derived from the process. Many participants found the experience so positive that they continued the craft at home.

Climate Cafe and Gardening Workshops

These events successfully combined education with fun activities, appealing to both adults and children. Participants appreciated the focus on pertinent societal issues and the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about sustainability.

Areas for Improvement

While the overall feedback was overwhelmingly positive, some suggestions for improvement were noted:

1. Duration: Several participants expressed a desire for longer sessions or more frequent events.
2. Venue and Logistics: A few comments mentioned the need for better lighting in some workshops and clearer directions to event locations.
3. Discussion Prompts: For some events, participants suggested having specific discussion points to facilitate conversation, especially for those who might be shy.
4. Follow-up Sessions: There was interest in follow-up sessions for each creative area to build on skills learned.
5. Outdoor Activities: Some participants suggested incorporating more outdoor sessions.

Participant Testimonials

“Loved this event. The activity was really enjoyable. After a short introduction and some practice I got the hang of cutting the lino. And the inking was another level of enjoyment. The feeling of well-being derived from the activity lasted for days, and delights me whenever I think back on it.”

“It was such a wholesome lovely evening – so nice to meet some new people and get creative! I loved having the opportunity to explore a creative medium I’d not tried since my school days, and it’s so special to have these community events especially as a lot of these kinds of skills are very expensive and therefore not accessible to many. The course leaders were so welcoming and brilliant, I would recommend their classes to anyone!”

Conclusion

The Reconnect! programme has successfully achieved its goals of promoting creativity, well-being, and community connection. The range of workshops and events has catered to various interests and skill levels, ensuring broad appeal and engagement. Participants consistently reported positive outcomes, including improved mental health, new skill acquisition, increased social connections, and enhanced confidence.

The programme’s strengths lie in its welcoming atmosphere, knowledgeable instructors, and the opportunity it provides for accessible, community-based creative experiences. The few suggestions for improvement, such as longer or more frequent sessions and minor logistical enhancements, indicate a desire for even more engagement with the programme.

Overall, Reconnect! has demonstrated the significant value of creative community initiatives in fostering personal growth, social cohesion, and well-being. The overwhelmingly positive feedback and the expressed desire for continued participation suggest that the programme has not only met but exceeded its objectives, making a meaningful impact on the lives of its participants.

Reconnect Programme 2025 – 2026

Magnetic Ideals looks forward to announcing a forthcoming programme of free training and skills sessions to develop new skills and help build community through creativity and confidence building. Will be offering courses that focus on coaching you to get back on track with work and life, learning new creative skills, putting on community events and promoting wellbeing through engaging with nature and permaculture.

The programme is here to help you Reconnect with your life and purpose, and we look forward to sharing this journey with you! Check out our Eventbrite booking online here. We will be running these sessions with experienced facilitators from our own network and our partners such as Arts for Life. Sessions will be running at the Cornerstone Community Centre in Hove, as well as at Rockets Studio.

Our sessions will be free, inclusive and welcoming, with food, warm drinks, and a chance to chat and make new connections. The venue is accessible, and we encourage any participants with specific needs around accessibility, whether relating to physical needs, neurodiversity or emotional needs to let us know so we can make sure you enjoy and feel comfortable in our sessions.

Full details will be available soon, but if you want to know more about the programme, please email programme lead heather@magneticideals.org to be added to our mailing list!

We would like to say a huge thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund and Sussex Community Foundation for making this project possible and hope to be able to announce our future funding partners shortly so we can continue this valuable project.