Here are a selection of Cambridge Creative Parent sessions

A Ghost in the Throat

Session based around book by Doireann Ní Ghríofa, we looked at a passage which connects the life of a modern mother with an 18th-century Irish female poet.

The session included a creative writing exercise reflecting on whatparticipants feel they have lost, gained and hope to regain since becoming parents.

We normalised mixed emotions in the postnatal period, including baby blues, while acknowledging when additional support may be needed. Parents with more experience helped those with less. Discussion was emotionally open, at times grief filled and other times hope filled. An honour to run.

Mandala Drawing

Parents created their own mandalas using colour, shape and symbolism as a calming way to explore and express their thoughts and feelings.

We consulted a symbol dictionary to see what our mandalas might reveal about the unconscious. One parent found a wheel, suggesting change and the turning of life’s cycles, while another discovered dolphins, associated with playfulness, connection and navigating emotional waters.

Daffodils

We painted daffodils as they were starting to appear, beginning of spring. There was a three step process with paints and paintbrushes. Daffodil pictures on A3 ended up being surrounded by quotes, shopping lists, complaints and thoughts about spring. My favourite quote was, ‘I can’t focus, diplodocus, crocus. I guess that’s another kind of spring flower’.

Identity and Parenthood

The session focused on integrating parenthood with identity. We used a coloured pencil exercise with a simple outline of a person split into two. Participants drew things from their old and new lives and considered how the two might be integrated.

Feminism, Sacrifice and the Body

Cambridge Creative Parents group session during the Easter period. We used Maternal Journal prompts focused on feminism, including themes of sacrifice, the body and eggs. Participants drew waves, electricity and around their hands to show how they were feeling both capable and overwhelmed.

Place

A session exploring the concept of place and whether we can find peace, drawing somewhere important to us or somewhere we would like to be. Participants drew birds eye views of favourite childhood holiday places and houses they had lived in as children.

Discussion centred on the exhaustion of holidays with young children and how sleep deprivation often negates any benefit from a change of scenery. Toddlers played while some of the babies were cared for within the group. The main shared concern was cumulative sleep deprivation and its impact on coping. Beautiful images of seaside towns with striped deckchairs; we interpreted this as we all need a sit down and to recline and rest.

What3words and Childhood Places

The session used a what3words writing prompt to explore places of significance from childhood.

Participants reflected on sensory memories of place and how these connect to identity, belonging and their experience of parenting.

There was a high level of openness and emotional depth in the sharing, with themes including motherhood, misogyny, grief, loss and what is passed on to children. Examples ranged from everyday moments to culturally significant family rituals, all connected by a shared sense of belonging. Group discussion followed on how early experiences shape our current emotional worlds as parents.

Ancient Egypt and Women’s Power

Session focused on Ancient Egypt, particularly representations of women and the ways women have held and expressed power historically.

Discussion explored how women have always had influence and authority, although this has often been expressed differently from male forms of power. Participants mainly modelled their work on Hatshepsut, Nefertari and Maat.

Participants created self portraits inspired by books and visual materials brought to the session.

The activity facilitated discussion around identity, motherhood, confidence and emotional wellbeing. Parents reflected positively on the benefits of creativity for mental health, including reducing feelings of flatness, isolation and low mood.

The atmosphere was warm, reflective and supportive, with good engagement from everyone.

Creative participation encouraged connection between parents and promoted discussion around wellbeing, self expression and the shared experiences of early parenthood.

‘Cambridge Creative Parents has offered invaluable community and mindfulness during the first months of motherhood. It is a kind and welcoming space, with tea and biscuits on hand.

Thoughtful exercises to explore in each session give a moment to reflect on where we are, andthe creative process feels like a treat during busy days. Ellie offers guidance and support, bothfor the task in hand and the personal challenges of the week. I have made friends at these sessions and felt comfortable to share the highs and lows of becoming a mum, all with my baby safe and welcome beside me. These sessions are one of the most positive and valuable postpartum experiences I’ve had.’

‘I would wholeheartedly recommend Cambridge Creative sessions to everyone, particularly if you are in need of some headspace, time to look after yourself, be with others, and reconnect with your thoughts and feelings (and what mum doesn’t need these?).

The activity was accessible and easy to join in with, while also allowing for deep feelings to be mulled over. There’s no pressure to produce something but being in a community with purpose focused me in to get thoughts down that I’d not otherwise been able to process.

While this session focuses on the parent, my toddler really benefited too. Ellie provided some quiet activities that involved kids of quite an age range (sometimes while also holding a baby). It gave my toddler a boost to explore a space a little independently of me and by the end she was racing around with others, allowing me the time to focus on drawing and my thoughts. The feeling of peace and calm from the session lasted afterwards as well, so that we both did well out of a lingering sense of wellbeing.’

‘Cambridge Creative Parents was a brilliant place to go at the start of maternity leave. My baby felt a bit young for a lot of the baby groups on offer. The sessions have an activity for the parents/guardians so it is really good for those with babes in arms who don’t have to keep eyes on a mobile baby (that being said Ellie was happy to do this if needed!). The sessions, being two hours long, also allow for you to do something creative even if you are feeding/changing/playing for a good chunk of that time. I felt very much at ease and supported by the group. It was a welcome change to have a group with a specific artistic/reflective prompt, because despite best intentions it doesn’t happen any other time during the week! The no-pressure option to share something at the end is always interesting and connecting. Great sessions, thank you Ellie.’

‘Cambridge Creative Parents was one of the first baby-friendly groups I ventured out to with my then 4 months old daughter. I remember after the first session thinking for the first time ‘this maternity leave is actually really lovely, I really enjoy being a mum;. I was really looking forward to attending something that was focussing on me rather than my baby. I’ve always enjoyed being creative and doing crafts, but did not find the time to do this postpartum. The sessions enabled me to get my creative juices flowing again in a very gentle and informal way. I also loved the community aspect of it - we would go for lunch afterwards and that’s how I met and connected with other mums which was so important for me. Ellie creates a space that is calm, inclusive, welcoming and nurturing; she’s there ready with biscuits and hugs, offering to take your baby off your hands for a bit so you can just enjoy some me-time. She puts her heart into planning the sessions and they always provided a way to reflect and process this wild journey of motherhood.’

‘I felt welcome and part of the group, and I enjoyed the calm atmosphere and chance to do something different, while also meeting and chatting to other parents and kids. The creative activities were approachable, and all of the materials were there ready to use. There were good spaces, toys, and creative resources for babies and kids, too. It felt like a unique opportunity as a parent to relax, recharge, and reflect, through being creative. I got a lot out of it during the session and the feelings and ideas stayed with me beyond the session too. I’d absolutely recommend it to other parents.’

‘I have found the Cambridge Creative Parents sessions very valuable for my emotional well-being and my sense of self, as well as for my connection with my young family. For example, after creating a mandala - something I had never heard of - at one of the sessions, I came home and introduced the idea to my school-aged child, who loves art. That evening, she and my 3 year old and I all made our own mandalas together. I enjoyed returning to the soothing process of creating something simple and beautiful, and bringing it home to my children. The sessions have reminded me that creativity is something not only to bring me back to myself, but also to share with my children and become part of our family life. It has really connected us and given us joy.’

‘I remember after my first CCP session realizing how much I missed crafting, something I used to do often in my spare time before giving birth. The session inspired me to try and dedicate some of the nap times to a little craft project instead of endless doom scrolling on my phone. And so over many weeks I hand embroidered a birthday bunting ready for my daughter's first birthday. I felt so proud of it!’

‘Cambridge creative parents helped me tap into my creative side during the first super intense year of becoming a mum. I often took activities home with me and continued to develop them at my own pace (e.g. mandalas). Inspired by the gentle sessions, I also started writing poetry - something I haven't done since I was kid - which was a really cathartic practice and such a valuable way to capture some of the intensity and huge feelings of early motherhood.’

‘“I used the prompts… to journal at home. I found this so much more fulfilling than the usual scrolling I would do on my phone while my baby slept!

I've also been inspired to start doodling/journalling more broadly in other areas of my life - this is outside my comfort zone but Creative Parents encouraged me to have a go and not to worry about how "good" my output was, which was very freeing.

It's also inspired me to want to sit down and write about my birth experience, which I wouldn't have thought of before attending this group…hugely cathartic.’

I evaluated the pilot using an adapted version of the validated Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), chosen because it measures the areas of wellbeing the sessions aim to support: reducing harsh self-criticism and strengthening self-compassion. Three repeat participants completed it before their first session and after six sessions; all three reported reduced self-criticism and increased self-reassurance, with the group’s average self-reassurance score rising from 10.2 to 29.3. Given the small, self-selected sample, these results are promising early indications rather than conclusive evidence.

A small pilot evaluation involving three repeat participants volunteered to fill out an adapted Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale.

Questions given to participants:

0 – Not at all like me
1 – A little bit like me
2 – Moderately like me
3 – Quite a bit like me
4 – Extremely like me

1. I am easily disappointed with myself.

2. There is a part of me that puts me down.

3. I am able to remind myself of positive things about myself.

4. I find it difficult to control my anger and frustration at myself.

5. I find it easy to forgive myself.

6. There is a part of me that feels I am not good enough.

7. I feel beaten down by my own self-critical thoughts.

8. I still like being me.

9. I have a sense of disgust with myself.

10. I can still feel lovable and acceptable.

11. I stop caring about myself.

12. I find it easy to like myself.

13. I remember and dwell on my failings.

14. I call myself names.

15. I am gentle and supportive with myself.

16. I can’t accept failures and setbacks without feeling inadequate.

17. I think I deserve my self-criticism.

18. I am able to care for and look after myself.

19. I do not like being me.

20. I encourage myself for the future.

Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (Gilbert, P., Clark, M., Hempel, S., Miles, J.N.V. & Irons, C. (2004) Criticising and reassuring oneself: An exploration of forms, styles and reasons in female students. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43, 31-50).

I am now working with Developmental Cognitive Neuroscientist/Assistant Professor Dr Sinead Rocha to strengthen our evaluation and measure the programme’s impact. Sinead was responsible for running Maternal Journal in Cambridge in 2025, and has other published research in this area, making her the perfect expert to advise. She has indicated that gaining ethical approving from Goldsmith’s University to help us undertake more extensive research will be an important first step, which I am excited about.