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Tuesdays at 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Our regular online creative writing group runs sessions throughout the year with guest writers. There's no experience needed to join, just bring paper and something to write with. The session is open to all, regardless of experience.

How does this session run? This activity takes place via video call on Zoom and you will be sent the link to join before the sessions start.

Who can attend? Adults aged 18 or over who live in the Kirklees area.

How much does it cost? All sessions are free.

How do I join? Complete the sign up form online: https://www.hootcreativearts.co.uk/form/out-of-the-blue 

If you'd prefer to complete a paper form or you would like to complete the form over the phone with a staff member, please contact us and let us know.
 

What's happening in the sessions?

Writing From Life with Sammy Weaver

📅 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th September and 6th & 13th October

Join award-winning writer Sammy Weaver for engaging workshops that explore our own lives as inspiration for new stories and poems. We will reflect upon past experiences, the journeys that have made us, and our present place in the world. You will leave with a toolkit of techniques, heaps of new writing, and perhaps a little bit of wisdom about ourselves!

Meeting the artists with Winston Plowes

📅 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th November and 1st, 8th & 15th December

We'll go on a treasure hunt through the world of creativity, writing pieces inspired by other artists. Sometimes discovering an artist new to us or someone well known, we will encounter the work of dance choreographers and painters, photographers and craftspeople each time exploring what makes their art tick.

Need help?

Not sure if this is the right thing for you? Our friendly team can tell you more about the activities and the sign up process. Give us a bell or send an email to talk to us.

Telephone:  01484 516 224   |   E-mail: info@hootcreativearts.co.uk

Dates and time

01 September 2026 , 08 September 2026 , 15 September 2026 , 22 September 2026 , 29 September 2026 , 06 October 2026 , 13 October 2026 , 03 November 2026 , 10 November 2026 , 17 November 2026 , 24 November 2026 , 01 December 2026 , 08 December 2026 , 15 December 2026 with more to follow in 2027.

All sessions take place at 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Join us at Growing Works allotment in Dalton for free music or drawing activities on a summer evening. Absolutely no art or music experience is needed to join and we provide all the equipment. 

• Who Can Attend: Adults aged 18 and over who live in the Kirklees area.
• How to Join: Book your place using the online form (click here) or call hoot on 01484 516224
• Cost: Free of charge

Songs for the Stars

📅 Tuesday 21st and 28th July, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
📌 Growing Works, Wakefield Road Allotments, Dalton, Huddersfield, HD5 9XN. Please wear outdoor clothes and shoes.

Music in the great outdoors in the welcoming surroundings of the Growing Works allotment in Dalton.  

Musician Rob Crisp introduces several of his ‘Constellation Songs’, a cappella pieces inspired by the night sky and the stories, myths and histories connected to them. Alongside this, we will use instruments to write our own pieces inspired by constellations, stars and planets. 

Drawing from Nature

📅 Tuesday 4th and 11th August, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
📌 Growing Works, Wakefield Road Allotments, Dalton, Huddersfield, HD5 9XN. Please wear outdoor clothes and shoes.

We will be using the beautiful plants , vegetables and flowers surrounding us to create artwork.  Drawing with natural inks and using the materials like twigs, grasses and flowers to create our own drawing tools. 

About the venue

Onsite facilities: Compost toilet, drinking water, accessible pathways and permanent and temporary shelters to accommodate varied weather conditions.

To access the allotments, turn off Wakefield Road (A629) and drive down the unnamed track between 503
and 505 Wakefield Road, next to the small row of shops near the crossroad. For more detailed instructions and images, visit http://www.growingworks.org.uk/contact/

The Quarter 4 report (January - March 2025) is now available to read and download on our website.

The Out of the Blue programme is the Creative Arts, Mental Health and Wellbeing service funded by Kirklees Council and the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

The programme of creative activities is free for Kirklees residents who are aged 18 or over and who want to protect their mental health and wellbeing, or are experiencing issues with their mental health. A diagnosis is not needed to sign up.

You can see all the sessions on offer on the Activities page of the website.

For Creativity and Wellbeing Week we are excited to share our film with National Centre for Creative Health all about how important commissioned creative health services like hoot's are. 

hoot creative arts is commissioned by Kirklees Council and the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board to provide a free programme of creative activities to Kirklees residents as a way for people to look after their mental health and wellbeing. 

In this film we see our Thursday Music Group in action whilst we hear from hoot musician, Rob who delivers music and singing activities, and hoot's Chief Executive Gavin on the impact of services like hoot's. We also hear from the commissioners of the service; Jan from Kirklees Council and Paul from the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board on their commitment to investing in creative arts. 

Being creative makes you feel good, and it's proven to have benefits to people's physical and mental health.   

In 2017, the Creative Health Report published its findings after two years of comprehensive research with their key findings being: 

• "Creative health is fundamental to a healthy and prosperous society, and its benefits should be available and accessible to all. 

• Creative health should form an integral part of a 21st -century health and social care system – one that is holistic, person-centred, and which focuses on reducing inequalities and supporting people to live well for longer. 

• Creating the conditions for creative health to flourish requires a joined-up, whole system approach incorporating health systems, local authorities, schools, and the cultural and VCSE sectors."  
  - Creative Health report Executive Summary 

The World Health Organisation's 2019 Scoping Review of arts and health documents how arts engagement can alleviate anxiety, depression, and even the distress associated with chronic conditions. 

"Including the arts in health care delivery has been shown to support positive clinical outcomes for patients while also supporting other stakeholders, including health care providers, the patient's loved ones and the wider community."  
- World Health Organisation, https://www.who.int/initiatives/arts-and-health  

These reports and many others confirm what we at hoot know - being creative makes us feel good.  

From singing to painting, writing poetry to dancing, actively participating in creative activities offers a wealth of benefits and discovering our creativity holds incredible potential for improving our physical, mental, and social wellbeing.  

Creative Health is an essential element of a holistic approach to health and wellbeing and by integrating the arts into healthcare systems we can improve lives, build stronger communities, support the health and social care workforce and cultivate a healthier society.  

How to support hoot creative arts: 

You can support hoot by following us on social media and sharing our posts on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and LinkedIn. 

If you are interested in donating to hoot or working in partnership on a project, please visit www.hootcreativearts.co.uk or email: info@hootcreativearts.co.uk 

For further reading visit: 

• Creative Health Report: https://ncch.org.uk/appg-ahw-inquiry-report  

• Creative Health Review (update of the 2017 Report): https://ncch.org.uk/creative-health-review 

• WHO Scoping Review: Arts and Health: https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289054553  

• hoot creative arts Out of the Blue service reports: https://www.hootcreativearts.co.uk/projects/out-of-the-blue  

• To engage your own MP in learning about and advocating for Creative Health as part of an integrated health and social care service you can find guidance here: https://ncch.org.uk/news/briefing-on-creative-health-for-mps 

Volunteering with hoot is a great way to build skills which can be useful in all sorts of different aspects of life. 

Ben joined hoot in 2019 as a participant and quickly moved from taking part to a Group Support Volunteer Role. 

“I joined hoot because I wanted to explore arts and wellbeing in Kirklees, as well as share some of my pre-existing experience as a musician. 

When you’re in the session and writing, singing, or playing, it’s incredibly rewarding to hear everyone’s ideas. There’s such a strong sense of community, and it can be really moving hearing other people’s ideas develop and take shape. 

Since I left hoot, I started volunteering at an animal rescue in my spare time, as well as working freelance creating music library content. 

Personally, I find volunteering really important for my mental wellbeing. The confidence I found at hoot has only grown, which has helped me as a musician. The skills and empathy I developed through group participation and collaboration have been important foundations to draw upon when working professionally, especially in songwriting sessions. 

hoot helped develop my confidence, listening skills, and empathy towards others. It also helped me understand workshop dynamics and how to support group participation in an inclusive way, including safeguarding and being mindful of others' wellbeing. 

I’ll always look back fondly on my time with hoot. hoot do such incredible work, and volunteering there really instilled a deep passion in me for advocacy and charity work." 

If you are interested in volunteering in our creative activities to build your skills and experience please complete the form on our website to hear about opportunities as they become available: https://www.hootcreativearts.co.uk/support-hoot 

hoot has decided that it is time to leave the social media platform, X.

We will no longer be posting or moderating our account @HootMusic. Here is how you can keep in touch with us and stay up to date with the latest hoot news

• Join our mailing list https://www.hootcreativearts.co.uk/form/mai
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hootcreativearts/
• Instagram https://instagram.com/hootcreativearts
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/hoot-creative-arts/
• Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/hootcreativearts.bsky.social

We're excited to announce that Creation Station has a new session running on Monday afternoons starting on Monday 7th April.

Our Monday morning Creation Station group has been so popular that we've decided to run a second group on a Monday afternoon.

Creation Station is a creative group at hoot creative arts specially designed for adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism.

We offer free and enjoyable activities like Art, Music, and Movement. It's a place to make friends, boost your confidence, and have a great time. 

What We Offer: 

• Exciting art, music, and movement activities, all ideas for creative activities welcome.  

• A place to meet new friends and become part of a supportive community. 

• A place to express yourself through creative activities. 

• Creative activities that make you feel good and boost your mental health. 

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm

Dates: 07 April 2025 , 28 April 2025 , 12 May 2025 , 19 May 2025 , 02 June 2025 , 09 June 2025 , 16 June 2025 , 23 June 2025 , 30 June 2025 , 07 July 2025 , 14 July 2025 , 21 July 2025 , 28 July 2025 and more dates to come soon.

Where: hoot creative arts, Bates Mill, Milford Street, Huddersfield, HD1 3DX

How to join: Sign up online here https://www.hootcreativearts.co.uk/activities/creation-station-afternoons

Any questions? Email info@hootcreativearts.co.uk or call us on 01484 516224
 

Session 1: Wednesday 5 March, 7 – 8pm
Session 2: Wednesday 12 March, 7 – 8pm
Session 3: Wednesday 19 March, 7 – 8pm
Session 4: Wednesday 26 March, 7 – 8pm

Online
Free event
Advance booking required

Open to participants aged 18+ only. Attendance limited, Kirklees residents prioritised.

hcmf// are teaming up with hoot creative arts to offer a fun opportunity to make music online in a group setting. We invite you to sign up to 4 weekly sessions, held online and led by music practitioner Rob Crisp. You don’t need experience to take part, just an open mind and a way to connect to the internet.  

Over 4 weekly evening sessions, the group will discuss ways of making sound online, how to share audio with others and how to create sound pieces as an online ensemble. This is a fantastic way to explore the possibilities of digital group improvisation within a friendly and social group setting.

To sign up, please visit: https://www.hootcreativearts.co.uk/ImprovClub

For more information, contact the hcmf// office at info@hcmf.co.uk

We hope you've had a good break. 

Click here to see what's happening at hoot and all our creative activities running this term.

The official release of the Winter 2024 - Making Changes Your Voice in Kirklees Magazine is here and we hope everybody enjoys reading this edition!

Your Voice in Kirklees (YVIK) releases quarterly magazines created by volunteers and staff from Kirklees branches of Waythrough, S2R, WomenCentre, Clear, hoot creative arts, Cloverleaf Advocacy and Carers Count.

New contributors are always welcome, we meet Wednesday's via Zoom (and occasionally in person) at 12.30pm, please email Karl.Jackson-Lander@waythrough.org.uk if you'd like to join for the first meeting of the Spring edition which starts on Wednesday 8th January 2025!

Download/Read our Magazine

• Standard Version of YVIK Winter Magazine (25MB~) - drive.google.com/file/d/1oJ6AH3jEsPgBu_MWeYrEwdUG2vFpBqxR/view
• Directly on Canva by clicking the link or scanning the QR code attached below - https://www.canva.com/design/DAGR4cOEdkw/MElOakb9oUVSineWQQQG3Q/view

About Your Voice in Kirklees

Your Voice in Kirklees (YVIK) releases quarterly magazines created by volunteers and staff from Kirklees branches of Richmond Fellowship, S2R, WomenCentre, Clear, hoot creative arts, Cloverleaf Advocacy and Carers Count.

New contributors are always welcome, we meet Wednesday's via Zoom (and occasionally in person) at 12.30pm, please email Karl.Jackson-Lander@waythrough.org.uk if you'd like to join for the first meeting of the Spring edition which starts on Wednesday 8th January 2025!

Previous newsletters are available on the Waythrough Kirklees Employment Service website's official newsletter webpage

Follow your Your Voice in Kirklees on social media Facebook - X - Instagram