Scarybird Creates
Creative facilitation for Wellbeing
About Me.
Hello - I'm Zoe (the human behind the Scarybird). I'm an Independent Artist facilitator in their final year at the University of Derby. Scarybird Creates supports and encourages engagement in mindful crafting and playful visual arts for wellbeing, self expression, and social connection. I have first-hand and professional experience of neurodiversity, mental health challenges and the powerful effects of reconnecting with creativity for health.
I feel strongly about sharing these benefits and making activities accessible for everyone. Carefully planned and curated workshops are tailor-made for the participants' needs and delivered with care and enthusiasm, using upcycled, recycled and readily available materials wherever possible.
Gallery - recent projects
Facilitating a scrap fabric winter wreath making activity
Sharing and choosing colours and textures
Here's one I made earlier - the years of watching Blue Peter paid off
Setting up for a winter workshop at Spiral Arts
Gathering together for conversation, connection, and recycling jars into colourful glowing lanterns
Using fallen leaves and air drying clay
Preparing for traditional well-dressing art in the traditional way
Messy work and feet of clay
Marking the outlines with peppercorns
Relevant qualifications and Continuing Professional Development
2021 - current date Creative Expressive Arts for Health and Wellbeing
BA, University of Derby
2020
South London College and CPD Portal (online)
Final year of an interdisciplinary undergraduate course which explores psychology of health, theories of human development and the impact that multi-modal creative arts has on physical, psychological and social wellbeing and health.
Levels 2&3 Diploma Counselling Skills (ABC endorsed) Developed and enhanced listening skills, increased awareness of professional codes of conduct, the importance of non-verbal communication and professional language.
Continuing Professional and Personal Development to date
See 'Projects' for associated documentation.
Safeguarding training: Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership October 2023; Direct Education Business Partnership January 2024
Mental Health First Aid Certificate February 2024
Within the University: Regular engagement 2-3 times per term with my assigned personal tutor and others regarding my academic progress and development, planning work and trouble shooting. Career guidance and coaching appointments with my assigned Careers and Employment Service Mentor as and when required (October and December 2024 so far)
Volunteering: Working with Spiral Arts, Derby since May 2024. I have assisted in events including traditional well-dressing with primary and secondary school groups; creating zines as part of the Library Reading Challenge scheme; community creative events including Windrush anniversary celebrations in June 2024, co-facilitation of lantern making at the bienniel Derby Maker's Fair with the opportunity to meet and forge connections with other local artists.
Since November I have been leading a course of six creative sessions at Spiral Arts as part of my university placement module. Please see photographic evidence above. I will continue to work with Spiral Arts in February/March 2025 as they collaborate with Joined up Care Derbyshire to provide Community Led Workshops to gather data for a project to improve women's health in Derby.
Networking event at ArtCore, Derby. - A promotion for studio space which led to conversation and building connections with other local artists. I
Working: I joined the Careers and Employment for Students department at the University of Derby in October 2024, working part time as an Employability Champion alongside my full time studies. I undertook training in CV checking, Data Protection, and I am part of the Sustainability Team in line with my creative ethos of reusing, reclaiming, and recycling materials wherever possible.
Conferences and seminars: Arts Council England 'Workforce Wellbeing' June 2024- ght into the current use of creativity in the entertainment industry, the health service, community projects across the nation andand current academic research into creativity and wellbeing. In February 2025 I will be attending the 'Careers with Social Impact - making a difference' conference at the University of Derby. To overcome the financial and logistical barriers to attending larger scale events in person, I am an avid viewer of TED Talks and Seed Talks virtual events. My areas of interest include life stories and academic studies at the intersection of creativity and visual art / Autism and ADHD; the exploration and processing of mental ill health through art, and the neurobiology and science of happiness.
Non-Academic / personal development: I seek out opportunities to visit exhibitions and attend events that spark my enthusiasm and fuel my creativity. This fuels my personal happiness, which in turn pours into my creativity and inspirative resources to share with colleagues, workshop participants and fellow artists. In the past year the highlights have included 'Fairytales of the Feminine- the sacred explicatory function of myths' - an online lecture about the human need for storytelling with Dr. Sharon Blackie July 2024; Heritage Craft Careers event at Derby Museum of Makers which opened my eyes to endangered crafts and the importance of reclaiming them November 2024; Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre 'Journey' and 'Wheels of life' exhibition - a phenomenal and world reknowned exhibition of kinetic, multi-sensory sculptures, non conformist art created by Russian artists August 2024; Young V&A Japan - Myths to Manga exhibition gave me a different perspactive and wider view on story telling and myth in September 2024; Tim Burton Exhibition It was a privilege and long felt ambition to see the original work and old sketchbooks of an artist that I have admired since childhood in December 2024. I attend live music and theatre events and support local venues whenever possible - Grace Petrie at the Hairy Dog was a highlight of the year. After several years of drumming and parading with Calidoscopia Samba band in Derby, I have recently defected to Belper Boom and I look forward to the coming events of the year. I continue to practice and expand my skills in textiles and clay, I also play the ukelele inconsistently and badly.