Relax & Create, art for wellbeing. Cambridge Wellbeing Hangouts.
Mondays 4 - 7pm
Helmore Building, Room Hel 342

Look after your wellbeing this trimester by meeting other students

Looking for a fun, relaxing way to unwind and connect with others? Join our Peer Wellbeing Mentors every Monday from 4pm – 7pm for a creative session aimed at boosting your wellbeing through art. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just love to doodle, everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed.

These sessions are all about creating a calm, supportive environment where you can explore your creativity, relieve stress, and meet new people. It’s the perfect way to take a break, recharge, and express yourself in a judgement-free space.

We’ll guide you through a new activity each week and its optional to take part:

Monday 23 September Vision to Reality: A Vision Boarding Workshop​
Monday 30 September: Cut, Stick, Create: Collage Art Session​
​Monday 7 October: Autumn Colours: Watercolour Workshop​
Monday 14 October: Weave & Unwind​
Monday 23 October: Autumnal College Workshop
Monday 28 October: Haunted Terrarium Workshop
Monday 4 November: Fireworks Night
Monday 11 November: Colourful Loops​
Monday 18 November: Marbling Art Doodle Pad.
Monday 25 November: Animal ​Zentangles​
Monday 2 December: Crafty Christmas Cards
Monday 9 December: Christmas Gnomes
Monday 16 December: Pop up winter scene​
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Monday 23 September: Vision to Reality: A Vision Boarding Workshop​

Kickstart your first term with our Vision Boarding Workshop, a creative and inspiring session designed to help you set your intentions and visualize your goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re aiming for academic success or seeking new opportunities, looking for connections or exploring your passions, this workshop gives you the tools to express your aspirations through art. Using papers and magazines, you’ll cut and stick images, words and visuals to craft a personalized vision board that serves as a powerful reminder of what you want to bring into your life. Join us to connect with fellow students, tap into your creativity, and start your year with a clear and motivated mindset!

Monday 30 September: Cut, Stick, Create: Collage Art Session​
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Join us for our collaging art workshop, where you'll experiment with cutting, sticking and layering to bring your ideas to life! In this hands-on session, we’ll use a variety of paper colors and textures to craft unique, vibrant images. This workshop encourages you to experiment with different materials and techniques in a relaxed, judgment-free environment. Perfect for all skill levels, this is a great way to express your creativity, unwind and connect with other students. ​

Monday 7 October: Autumn Colours: Watercolour Workshop​
​Join us for a relaxing Autumn Watercolour Workshop, where we'll capture the beauty of autumn trees. Using warm, vibrant colors, you'll learn simple techniques to paint seasonal scenes that reflect the changing leaves. This workshop is perfect for all skill levels and offers a calming way to unwind and express your creativity. Come and enjoy some peaceful time with watercolor and create your own autumn-inspired art.

Monday 14 October: Weave & Unwind​
Find calm and focus in our Weave and Unwind workshop, where you'll craft a God's Eye—a traditional design made by weaving yarn around sticks, symbolizing protection and guidance. This simple, repetitive activity helps you relax and stay present, offering a peaceful break from daily life. ​
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All our sessions are designed to be relaxing, creative and a place for you to explore something new whilst looking after your wellbeing.​

Monday 23 October: Autumnal College Workshop
Celebrate the beauty of the season with our Autumnal Collage Workshop! In this relaxed and creative session, you'll craft simplified autumn trees using a mix of textured papers and warm, earthy colors. By cutting and layering basic shapes, you’ll create beautiful, abstract representations of Autumnal trees and scenes. This workshop is perfect for all skill levels, offering a fun and mindful way to capture the essence of autumn through simple yet stunning collage art. Join us to unwind, get creative, and celebrate the beauty of the season!

Monday 28 October: Haunted Terrarium Workshop
Get ready to have a spook-tacular time at our “Haunted Terrarium Workshop" Join us for a spellbinding evening where we'll be crafting ghostly terrariums in jars. Whether you're a seasoned plant ghoul or a frightful first-timer, this workshop will help you create a miniature world that’s both chilling and charming. We'll provide all the eerie essentials—creepy crawlers, haunting moss, and ghastly glass jars—so all you need to bring is your imagination. Don’t be a scaredy-cat; come get your spook on and take home a piece of Halloween that’s dead set to impress!​

Monday 4 November: Art for Wellbeing: Fireworks Night
Add a little sparkle to your night with our fireworks themed art session. Spritz, spray and sparkle to create a dazzling night sky whilst remaining cosy indoors. Hot chocolate and treats will be provided. An evening that is sure to go with a bang!

Monday 11 November: Art for Wellbeing: Colourful Loops​
This workshop invites you to draw free-flowing lines on paper, forming loops and shapes that come to life as you fill them with color. There’s no right or wrong—just let your creativity flow and enjoy the process. Perfect for all levels, it’s a chance to unwind and create with ease and joy.​

Monday 18 November: Marbling Art Doodle Pad
Dip, dye and design a mini doodle pad with Marbling inks that you can take home and continue to doodle. A great way to relax your mind and take a creative mini break.

Monday 25 November: Animal ​Zentangles​
Zentangling is an easy to learn, relaxing and calming way to create something beautiful. Join us for a session of doodling and making shapes and patterns as we create a beautiful Zentangle animal. ​
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All our sessions are designed to be relaxing, creative and a place for you to explore something new whilst looking after your wellbeing. ​

Monday 2 December: Crafty Christmas Cards
Join us for a fun and festive Crafty Christmas Cards workshop! 🎄 Get into the holiday spirit as you handcraft your own Christmas card designs. We’ll cut, stick, and collage to create beautiful cards that you can send to friends and family.

Monday 9 December: Christmas Gnomes
Join us for a cosy, creative afternoon where you'll craft your very own Christmas gnome. We’ll provide all the materials, festive fabrics and fluffy beards so come along and leave with a little gnome full of Christmas cheer, ready to brighten up your home this holiday.

Monday 16 December: Pop up winter scene​
Step into Christmas creating your very own pop up winter scene. Join your Peer Wellbeing Mentors for a bit of winter magic as we guide you through all the steps to craft a Christmas pop up. ​

ARU Peer Wellbeing Mentors are current ARU students who are here to help you through your ARU experience. The Peer Wellbeing Mentors provide drop-in sessions, fun activities and info on ARU's Counselling and Wellbeing Services.
They are here happy to listen to and signpost to the appropriate support.

Contact and follow your Peer Wellbeing Mentors?
Find out who your Peer Wellbeing Mentors are: see our webpage
Follow us on Instagram: @arupeerwellbeing
Email us: wellbeingmentors@aru.ac.uk

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