Healing with Clay

Are you going through perimenopause or menopause, or feeling low, frustrated, or going through a tough time? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to go through it alone either. Clay has an amazing ability to soothe and ground us. Working with clay can be a powerful way to relieve stress, process emotions, and tap into creativity. Join us for a warm and friendly Healing With Clay session — a safe and supportive space where women come together to talk, share experiences, and find calm through creativity. These sessions are run by Joelle who began her menopause journey seven years ago, at a time when it wasn’t something women spoke about openly or freely. 'It felt incredibly lonely — none of my friends or my own sisters were going through it, so I struggled in silence, trying to make sense of the changes happening inside me. During that time, I instinctively turned to creating, and clay quickly became my calm in the chaos. The simple act of shaping something with my hands grounded me in a way nothing else did. Clay didn’t just soothe the overwhelming moments; it helped me express myself and create some of my favourite pieces during times when my hormones felt completely all over the place. Healing With Clay was born from that journey — a gentle, supportive space where women can reconnect with themselves, breathe, create, and know they’re not alone. What is provided: air-dry clay, which is easy to handle, simple to clean up, and far less messy. Participants are invited to create whatever they feel drawn to — there will be cutters, stencils, and other tools available, and Joelle will demonstrate simple techniques. The focus is to create freely, guided by your instincts and emotions. Whether that is to carefully design something, make simple shapes, or even release frustration through the clay, there’s no right or wrong way. After the session, Joelle takes the pieces away to dry. This usually takes 24–48 hours, or longer if the pieces are quite thick. Once fully dry, she sends them back along with paints, varnish, and clear instructions so the pieces can be finished at home. Brook Arts Hub is fully accessible with easy parking and located in Shottery (next door to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage). All workshop materials and refreshments are included in the price.