Chesterfield woman using creativity to help others through dark times
“Coffee Cake Create is about taking something painful and trying to turn it into something positive.”
A Chesterfield woman who turned to colouring as a way of looking after her own mental health has launched a project to help others through creativity.
Laura Siddall said that after going through a very challenging time in her life, she struggled to cope.
"I turned to colouring as a distraction and as a way of looking after my mental health," she said. “What started as something simple to help me get through difficult days became something that genuinely helped me. Colouring gave me a creative outlet, something to focus on and, for a little while, somewhere else for my mind to be.
"After a while, I started wondering whether having a creative outlet could help other people too. That thought became the beginning of Coffee Cake Create."
What started from Laura's own experience has grown into a community project in Chesterfield, bringing people together through creativity, conversation and connection.
The group runs activities including mindful colouring, creative workshops, movement and wellbeing sessions, with events for adults, children and families.
Coffee Cake Create is particularly welcoming to people who may be experiencing loneliness, trauma, anxiety, mental health challenges or other difficult circumstances. The aim is simple: to create a friendly, inclusive space where people can come along as they are, meet others, be creative and feel connected.
Laura said: "For me, Coffee Cake Create is about taking something painful and trying to turn it into something positive. I know how much having something small to focus on can mean when life feels overwhelming, and I want other people to have the opportunity to experience that sense of connection too.
"The project is still growing, and I'm working hard to get Coffee Cake Create known across Chesterfield and reach more people. I'm hoping to continue building relationships with local organisations and businesses and create even more opportunities for people to connect.
"What began with me sitting down with some colouring pencils during one of the hardest periods of my life has become something I never expected: a community I'm building for other people."
Coffee Cake Create runs at Grassmoor Community Centre on the last Monday of every month 6pm-7pm and at the Monkey Park Cafe in Chesterfield every Thursday (excluding the first Thursday of each month) 1pm-2pm, starting 8th October. To find out more, email [email protected]