CanInspire: fostering creativity, support and inspiration
Humans have always been creative. It would seem creativity and being a ‘happy human’ go hand in hand.
A recent discovery of exquisite jewellery work uncovered in the Denisova Cave, located in the Bashelaksky range of the Altai mountains in Siberia, showed humans have been creating jewellery dating back some 45,000 to 50,000 years, probably longer.
Researchers said, "the beads, which are crafted from ostrich eggs, were so magnificently carved that they resembled the work of a highly talented artist in today’s society”. They believe the beads would have been made into necklaces and bracelets or sewn into clothes.
Sharyn Phillips, CanInspire's workshop coordinator for the Hawke's Bay region.
With such busy lives, many people no longer have the time to create. It takes the back seat. Sharyn Phillips, workshop coordinator of CanInspire in the Hawke’s Bay region, sees first-hand the healing benefits being creative – with others – has.
Sharyn says, "being creative, especially if you are unwell or dealing with any type of trauma, helps you be still. It takes your mind off things”.
Upon arrival in Hawkes Bay, Sharyn was at the stage of her life where she was looking for something meaningful to do.
"I really wanted to give something back to the community. My daughter saw an ad from CanInspire. They were looking for a workshop coordinator for Hawkes Bay. She said "mum! It’s perfect for you! She was right, it is a perfect fit for me,” she says.
A group of workshop participants with their jewellery making kits.
CanInspire, founded by Sarah Clifford, is a New Zealand wide Charitable trust established in 2011. The trust delivers jewellery-making workshops and kits to individuals experiencing illness, trauma or loss. The workshops are also open to the individuals support person.
Sarah Clifford, while undergoing treatment for melanoma at the age of 28, discovered the healing benefits making jewellery could bring. To help Sarah cope with treatment and being away from her family, she made a piece of jewellery each day.
Sharyn says, "Sarah found there were many additional benefits that came with jewellery making! It gave her a connection to the other people who were also receiving treatment, along with their families. The doctors and nurses also become excited to see what she had created that day”.
Inspired by her experience, Sarah launched CanInspire.
Granny's costume jewellery can be 'dismantled' and reused.
CanInspire has been running art therapy workshops in the form of jewellery making (Canbead) in Hawke’s Bay for nearly two years.
Sharyn says, "The jewellery making workshops are not for profit. We run classes for organisations such as Women’s Refuge, Sweet Louise, Dementia services, Brain injury HB and the local hospice. Recently we ran a workshop through William Colenso College for the young mums, that was really great”.
Studies have shown that being creative – in any form – improves mental and physical wellbeing. Creativity also strengthens brain function.
Sharyn has witnessed the many benefits creativity brings first hand.
She says, "It’s not just taking your mind of things. It’s really about being able to share. It’s amazing how people open up in the sessions. It’s like the creating becomes a vessel that unlocks people. They relax enough to chat freely. Among other things, the workshops open doors for many of our participants. Some find an undiscovered talent, others create new and lasting bonds. They all take something positive home with them”.
Drawstring bags made by volunteers from Hawke’s Bay prison.
Sharyn recalls an experience in Auckland.
"I was setting up a workshop in Auckland last year. One of the women attending said to me "I can’t do that, I’ve never been creative! By the end of the session she was so proud of the necklace and bracelet she had made with her daughter she posted a picture on FaceBook. She received so much positive feedback that her and her daughter now make jewellery on a regular basis. She has sent letters thanking Can Inspire for helping her unlock a creativity she didn’t know was there”.
Many that attend Canbead workshops have a terminal illness. For family members that are left behind coping with grief, the items of jewellery form a lasting legacy. Sharyn speaks warmly of man who made bracelets for each of his granddaughters.
She says, "It really is one of my highlights. Each bracelet he made was very different. He carefully considered each granddaughter and selected beads and colours that suited their personalities. They were all so different! Sadly, the granddad didn’t see Christmas. But, the jewellery did. It was very special”.
The CanInspire kits.
CanInspire gives each workshop participant an identical bag to which Sarah Clifford was first given by her friend when she was in hospital. The kits and workshops are free. Each kit includes: a draw string bag, three sets of jewellery making tools, all the necessary fastenings for making the pieces and an array of beads.
Much of this is donated. With between 10 and 30 participants each workshop, donations of beads and fabric is enormously appreciated.
Sharyn says, "We have drop off locations where a tub is left for bead donations. Currently we have a tub in the Business Hub, St Beads in Napier and a few other venues. We are trying to find more places to leave a tub. All beads are useful, even grannies old costume jewellery! We have a team of volunteer ‘dismantlers’ that carefully take things apart”.
CanInspire urgently needs fabric in which the draw string bags are made from.
"We really are a community venture! There is a team of nine men from the Hawkes Bay prison who make our bags, along with a few other projects for a couple of not for profit organisations. Their work is truly amazing, and we are honoured to have them as part of our Hawkes Bay volunteer team,” Sharyn says.
Sharyn has not looked back since joining the CanInspire team. She says, "It is such rewarding work! It is fantastic knowing how the team helps the local community. It is my baby. My happy place. My passion!”
If you would like to become a volunteer, donate fabric and/or beads or find information on attending or holding a workshop, or you have a venue for a bead donation tub, contact Sharyn Phillips on 027 423 8712, email sharyn@caninspire.org.nz, visit www.caninspire.org.nz or find them on Facebook.
