Colours are changing, temperatures are dropping and the nights are drawing in. We might recognise a new sensation beneath our feet as we feel the crunch of crisp leaves as we walk. Autumn is here and it is so important that we recognise this change and check in with how we are and how this change may effect us.

 

This month we are promoting self care and self compassion. Take some time to check in with yourself and see what you need in order to nurture and love yourself. Self care is not selfish, you can’t serve from an empty vessel. “Taking good care of you means the people in your life will receive the best of you, rather than what’s left of you.” - Carl Bryan.

The Individuals in our Saturday Morning group explored this through a multi medium workshop; using photography, images, fabrics, song, and puppets to explore their environment and to recognise changes. They then creatively reflected on how this made them feel and what they needed to help them feel more comfortable and happy in this season. They then had a joyous dance under a parachute and floating colorful leaves to celebrate Autumn and to welcome it. To close the session the Individuals decided to collectively create this beautiful and colourful Autumn tree.

The tree is so meaning for and explores many different themes. It represents all the beautiful and positive things in which Autumn can bring, it represents change; in season, in people, in the environment and in circumstances. It acknowledges that change can be scary and challenging sometimes, but the tree represents how these challenges can offer new and exciting opportunities that can allow us to grown and develop and blossom. The tree symbolises the nurture and care we have to give ourselves in order to be able to have this growth. The tree is made up of expressive leaves that the individuals created uniquely and independently to express themselves and their individuality, bringing the leaves together to make one piece signifies how support of one another can make us stronger, more colorful and more enabled.