A Clay Workshop at Brentwood Court

At CwmpasOT, we love using creative activities to connect people, support wellbeing, and bring a bit of fun into the week. This time, we brought the magic of clay to Brentwood Court in Cardiff—and what a day it was!

Ten residents joined in with our coil pot workshop, where we rolled clay, cut circular bases with cookie cutters, and layered hand-rolled noodle shapes to build up pots. There was something really grounding about the process—hands working with natural materials, laughter filling the room, and that quiet focus you only get during a good craft session.

Some participants were nervous at first, but with encouragement (and a little peer inspiration!), everyone joined in. It was beautiful to see first-timers experimenting with clay while others reminisced about past pottery classes. We had lovely conversations about old hobbies, family memories, and the joy of making something from scratch.

Even the staff couldn’t resist joining in—and their involvement really helped set the tone for a warm, inclusive group experience. Everyone took pride in their creations, which are now drying, ready to be painted in next week’s follow-up session. That sense of continuity and anticipation adds another layer of meaning to the project.

Craft-based sessions like this don’t just produce something nice to look at—they help with fine motor skills, memory recall, confidence building, and emotional expression (Creek, 2010). And perhaps most importantly, they remind us how joyful it can be to create together.

We can’t wait to see how the painted pots turn out next week! 🎨🪴

Reference:Creek, J. (2010). The core concepts of occupational therapy: A dynamic framework for practice. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.