Passport to Wellbeing - Pottery & Claywork (Craft)

Course intent

If the Great Pottery Throwdown has inspired you, this course will get you started with a range of pottery methods to work with clay and colour. Your tutor will work with you to develop your skills in a range of pottery techniques, working with clay and colour so that you can design and create your own pieces of work to take home and enjoy.

This course is part of our Passport to Wellbeing programme for adults to support them as they rediscover their mental and emotional balance and to help them live healthy, active lives.

If depression, anxiety or stress are making your life difficult, come and join one of our free courses. You can connect with others, learn new skills and create something new.

What will we cover?

The intent of this course is for you to learn to design and create pottery pieces and through this help you improve your sense of wellbeing.

By the end of the course, you will: 1. Know how to use various hand building techniques to coil and slab build 2. Be able to select appropriate pottery equipment (including hand tools, the slab roller and pottery wheel) for your work 3. Understand how to use glazes and oxides to decorate and finish your work 4. Build your confidence in experimentation and practising with these methods 5. Be able to create your own designs, taking inspiration from different sources such as pottery books in class and the internet, e.g. Pinterest and online search engines. 6. Experiment with approaches to wellbeing that can be integrated into your daily life

As this course takes place over several sessions, you will find you make the most progress if you attend every lesson and complete any home practice that is suggested.

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

If your mental health is making your life difficult, for example because you are depressed, anxious or stressed, this course might be for you. It is part of our Passport to Wellbeing programme which is for people would like to improve their mental health.

The course is suitable for beginners and those with a little experience in pottery. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge in the subject, just an interest and willingness to learn.

If you would like to enrol, we will ask you to attend a pre-course meeting, including a questionnaire about your wellbeing and any additional support needs. This is essential to help us ensure we provide the right support to enable you to have a positive learning experience with us.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

Please bring a notepad and pen or pencil. Clothing can get dirty in the pottery studio so please wear something suitable. We advise you to bring an apron to protect your clothes and this should be taken home and washed each week. You should wear sensible flat shoes.

If you bring in your own tools, books or other items, you are responsible for remembering to take them home again. You are reminded that many classes take place in the pottery studio each week and we cannot guarantee being able to find any items that are left behind.

All basic costs are included but sometimes a more advanced project may require learners to buy items to complete their work. The tutor will always advise on where to buy any items at the best prices.

What can I do when I finish the course?

As a learner on our Passport to Wellbeing programme, you will be offered a maximum of three free courses on the programme.

After this course, in discussion with your tutor, you may wish to progress on to further courses in the same subject or you can choose to switch to another course in the programme (subject to places being available).

When you feel ready to learn in a more open environment, you will also be offered a 50% discount on a course on our main Community Learning programme.

Additional information

All learners should be willing to attend regularly, follow instructions, comply with guidance on health and safety, and work safely with others.

We also encourage you to seek appropriate support from a medical professional or other service to complement your learning.

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class.

As our courses are taught in English, please contact us if you have any concerns about your level of English.

Surrey Adult Learning values and supports equality and diversity by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

How to enrol

You can't currently enrol online for this course, so please call 0300 200 1044 to express your interest or to make an enquiry for further information.

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