Would you like to improve your mental wellbeing? Want to learn a new creative skill? Join us for a 10-week pottery course in partnership with Nottinghamshire Mind.
You will learn
The NHS recommends learning a new skill as one of their 5 top tips for mental wellbeing. This course is delivered in partnership with Nottinghamshire Mind and Inspire, to provide a relaxed welcoming environment where you can receive expert tuition in ceramics alongside support from the team at Nottinghamshire Mind.
As part of the course, we hope learners will:
- Grow in confidence – believe you can be creative, and make things you are proud of
- Grow in community – enter a new environment and meet new people
- Grow in mental wellbeing – experience the positive impacts of creative activity
- Grow in skill – learn how to handbuild pottery, including joining and decorating
If you can’t make our September start date, we also have upcoming 10-week courses in January and April 2027. Check the Nottinghamshire Mind website for more details of alternative course dates.
You will need
The pottery skills covered will be beginner level, and no previous experience is required. Please note this is a handbuilding course, so throwing clay on a pottery wheel will not be covered.
These courses are for Nottinghamshire residents to explore creativity as an outlet for improving their mental health. You do not need a formal mental health diagnosis to take part. However, due to funding restrictions, you need to live permanently in Nottinghamshire. Certain other exclusions apply (for example, anyone under 19 years old or here on a student visa is not eligible), please email education@harleyfoundation.org.uk if you would like to check your eligibility.
We recommend trimming long nails prior to the session, removing any jewellery, and tying back long hair.
Additional information
The course cost includes all materials, tools and clay, plus glazing and firing of your finished pieces.
We will contact you when your pots are ready to collect from our museum, this can take up to 6 weeks. If you haven’t heard from us within this time, please contact us.
If you require a carer to attend these sessions, please mention it when filling out the referral form. Carers who would like to take part in the ceramics activities pay half price (£4.50 per session); carers who do not take part attend free of charge.
At the start of the course, you will need to complete an Inspire registration form. This is a requirement for taking part in the course.
Meet the tutor
Ruth Waller
This course is taught by Ruth Waller. Ruth is a contemporary textile artist and half of the creative partnership Waller Hewett. Waller Hewett create artwork and installations which combine art, design and craft, and have won them numerous awards including ‘Best in Show’ at the London Craft Fair.
She is a highly experienced tutor and teaches across the Harley Foundation’s education programme.
Image courtesy Ben Boswell
