More Than Making Art

Every Wednesday afternoon at The POD, the tables slowly fill with paints, brushes, colouring pencils and blank sheets of paper. Relaxing music begins to play in the background as people arrive, greet one another and settle into their seats. It isn’t long before conversations begin to flow.

For Yurena, this has become one of the highlights of her week. While the artwork people create is always different, the reason she leads the sessions has remained the same from the very beginning.

“I wanted to use my creativity to help other people.”

That simple idea has grown into something that many people now look forward to every week. Yurena had already shown her enthusiasm for sharing her skills by leading six weeks of Spanish lessons at The POD. Seeing how much people enjoyed learning together inspired the next step: creating a relaxed, welcoming space where people could explore their creativity, spend time together and simply enjoy the afternoon.

Every session is different. One week people might paint rocks, another they might colour, draw or experiment with something completely new. There are no expectations and no right or wrong way to create. The aim is simply to encourage people to use their imagination, express themselves and enjoy the experience.

The atmosphere is just as important as the activities themselves. Gentle music plays throughout the session, helping to create a calm environment where people feel comfortable joining in at their own pace.

For many people, these moments are what make life feel full.

Support funding helps people stay safe, healthy and well. But it doesn’t always pay for the things most of us take for granted – spending time with friends, discovering a new hobby, sharing your talents or simply belonging to a community.

That’s why Options created The POD: an inclusive community space where people can connect, learn, create and enjoy life together beyond the essentials of funded support. It’s one of the many ways we’re making a better world for people with disabilities.

Among those attending is Helen, who has always enjoyed being creative. At home she spends time making jewellery, so coming to the sessions gives her another opportunity to do something she loves while catching up with friends from The POD.

“I love arts and crafts,” she says. “I enjoy making jewellery and creating things at home. I like seeing other people from The POD.”

For Clara, Inclusion Coordinator at Options, Yurena’s journey has been inspiring to watch.

“Yurena has lots of creative ideas,” she explains. “She is passionate about helping others and she’s very good at teaching people and sharing her skills.”

Those qualities quickly became clear as the sessions developed.

“The turnout has been really good,” Clara says. “People find the sessions therapeutic. Yurena creates a relaxed environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves.”

In fact, attendees have enjoyed the sessions so much that they’ve even asked if they could stay for an extra hour.

For Yurena, however, the biggest reward isn’t seeing a finished painting or colourful piece of artwork.

It’s watching people laugh together. Seeing new friendships develop. Noticing confidence grow from one week to the next.

Her proudest moments come from seeing other people enjoying themselves.

Stories like Yurena’s remind us that a full life isn’t only about taking part in activities. Sometimes it’s about discovering something you’re passionate about and using it to make a difference for others.

A paintbrush, a conversation and a shared laugh around a table may seem like small moments, but together they help build confidence, connection and community. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes a week feel complete.