“I would just like to thank the wonderfully talented ladies Vik and Hannah from Weird Sticks who have been getting creative and working with our families for the last couple of weeks in our orchard.
These ladies have been a breath of fresh air, they’ve come along to our sessions full of enthusiasm and have shared their skills and knowledge with all of us. Nothing was too much trouble for them and all the children and families have enjoyed being with them, as have we!
These guys are amazing and I can highly recommend having them with you to get your creative juices flowing. I have already passed their contact details on to a fellow Forest School owner and we will certainly be including them in our future funding bids to get them back with us asap!”
Louise
Forest School Lead/Director
Orchard Forest School
“Vik and Hannah create a very positive and friendly atmosphere in their workshops and have adapted well to all of the spaces that we have worked in within HMP Channings Wood.
Their sessions within the Library and Arts Centre at Channings have been accessible, engaging and meet the needs of all levels and abilities, with the men really enjoying and celebrating each other’s achievements. They have provided valuable skills, knowledge and experience working with willow, and moments of calm in willow weaving which have incredible benefits to the men’s mental health and wellbeing.
Over 350 men have taken part in workshops with Weird Sticks over the past 2 years as part of Library and Arts Centre Arts Festivals and their Arts Council Open Door Project, working together to create collaborative sculptures, weave stars, hearts, birds, Catalan (tension) trays and willow baskets.
We very much see Vik and Hannah of Weird Sticks as part of the Library and Arts creative team and we look forward to welcoming them back in again soon!”
Kate
Lecturer in Art
HMP Channings Wood
“Cracking session! Learnt a new skill and so good for my mental health!”
“Today has been the quickest day I have had in ages! It’s been brilliant!”
“Willow weaving – it really is a form of meditation”
“I really enjoyed this! For the time that I was in this workshop I didn’t feel like I was in prison”
“I’m actually really proud of myself – I can’t believe I made this!”
“I’ve learnt so much from this project – it’s given me loads of business ideas including how to grow willow and make products and even fences out of a sustainable material”
“Doing something new and creative has had such a positive effect on my mental wellbeing, I forgot where I was for a time”
Workshop Participants
HMP Channings Wood
“We worked with Weird Sticks as part of our Summer at the Quayside programme this year and I have to say, we were delighted! Participants, staff and traders were all full of positive feedback and we loved their friendly and accessible approach.
We have rebooked Vik & Hannah for some Christmas sessions which I am sure will be just as popular.”
Anna
Project Coordinator
Exeter Canal & Quay Trust