We were very excited to learn that talented potter Finola Maynard has been chosen to be a part of ITV’s The People’s Project supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
With her community organisation Pop Up Pottery Creative Healing, Finola plans to offer free pottery workshops to people experiencing isolation, social anxiety or some form of emotional upheaval in their lives.
Finola, who has a Masters in ceramics from the University of Brighton, started Pop Up Pottery two years ago in community spaces :
When I realised the medium was helping people communicate their emotions more freely, I vowed to treat every participant with unconditional empathy and positive regard, to support them through something in their lives.
Finola’s workshops are creative, engaging and social:
The mesmerising wheel the clay spins on is controlled by the participant. By delicately and carefully stroking water onto clay with the hands, its shape is formed over time. It is a physically relaxing and therapeutic activity that gives participants the opportunity to focus and harness cognitive energy yet rest the mind.
No prior skill or knowledge is needed and the workshops are open to all who may feel socially isolated within the community but perhaps lack the confidence or means to join other craft groups.
Vote for Finola and Pop Up Pottery online during 20 March to 3 April 2017 via thepeoplesproject.org.uk to give her the funding and resources needed to bring therapeutic and supportive pottery to as many people as possible.