What has starting pottery done for you?
Kneading Downtime was created out of a love for purposeful work, seeing and experiencing the benefits of pottery on wellbeing and mental health and the strong personal values of making real connections.
We all bring different perspectives to the table, what do other people say? What brings people to trying pottery? What do they get out of it? Does playing in mud really make that much of a difference to mental health and wellbeing?
**Some quotes have been deidentified for confidentiality.
“Kez has made my pottery experience fun and achievable, she has always been a helping hand with any questions I may have had and realistic about the expectations, the main highlight of this course was doing every single step myself, being able to start with a ball of clay and create literally anything that come to mind all MYSELF wasn’t something I thought I could do confidently.
My thought pattern around pottery was it had to be ‘perfect’ but Kez helped guide those fears into realising nothing is perfect and that’s what makes all of my creations so ‘me’
I couldn’t be happier with my experience over the course and thrilled to have the chance to continue to potter away even now the course has ended, value for Money is exceptional and I couldn’t recommended it anymore to all types of people, including skills level!” - “Courtney”
“Ive avoided "Therapeutic care" for my mental health as it felt like a serious commitment that felt too overwhelming. Kez, invited me to "come and just have play and see how you go" at her pottery class and now Im driving my own therapeutic care at my own pace without pressure or obligation. I can express myself creatively or just build something and be in the 'doing' of the moment, both things provide an opportunity to discover more about me and my own process and to improve my mental health.” - “P”
“Pottery has become a lifeline for me during one of the most challenging chapters of my life. As I navigate menopause and the anxiety that often comes with it, working with clay has given me a sense of calm I didn’t know I could still access.
The simple act of shaping something with my hands slows my thoughts, steadies my breath, and reminds me I am still capable of creating beauty … even in moments of discomfort.
My pottery classes and Inverell Art Gallery have become a place where I feel grounded, supported and genuinely at peace. This practice has helped ease my anxiety in ways I never expected, and I’m deeply grateful for the space it has opened in my life” - “S”