Alice in Wonderland

In 2020 we returned to work with the brilliant students at Anstee Bridge.

Anstee Bridge is an alternative learning programme for young people aged 14-16 facing emotional challenges that cause them to struggle and disengage from education. It provides bespoke support for young people with a range of emotional and social issues, helping them to cope with the pressures of their final year of education. A key part of the offer is a programme of creative activities, designed to build confidence and increase mental well-being.

Our Alice in Wonderland programme was a six-week intervention that used Lewis Carroll's iconic book as inspiration for a range of sessions that explored wellbeing through creativity. We worked with artists Nicole Cowan and Nadine Fletcher and explored different mediums including printing, weaving, painting and clay sculpture. 

"I learnt that art does not have to be any certain way, it is how you interpret it and it's a way for me to relax."

We wrote letters to people we admired and hosted a series of wellbeing tea parties, that included creative activities, for people in our community. 

We also had a week hosting activities at Lime Tree Primary School, where the older Anstee students, supported and worked with the younger Lime Tree students. 

It was a really positive experience for all and the art was showcased at an exhibition at Surbiton Library that was opened by the Mayor.