November was another lively month at Shekinah, filled with creativity, learning, and community engagement. Our programmes continued to expand, offering a rich mix of courses, workshops, and events that brought people together in inspiring ways.
Courses and Workshops
We welcomed 151 learners across a wide variety of sessions. Highlights included Everyday Happiness, Gadgets and Gizmos (8 sessions), Neurographic Art (3 sessions), Creative Speaking Club (3 sessions), Yoga (4 sessions), Masks and Movement (4 sessions), Conscientious Objectors, the Pallet Project (3 sessions), and The World of AI. We were also delighted to re-introduce music sessions, “Sing Songs” with Matt (4 sessions), and launch Cardmaking as the first of our new Seasonal Sessions.
Outreach and Collaboration November was also a month of outreach and collaboration. On the 12th we joined an Allyship Meeting, on the 13th we hosted a stall at the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Open Day, and on the 17th we took part in a training session on Power and Privilege. As part of developing our new prospectus, we met numerous new tutors, some in their own studios and workshops in Stonehouse, strengthening our network and building new opportunities for learners.
Pallet Project The Pallet Project students proudly completed a bench for the Shekinah garden, which they described as the best one they’ve made yet. We also held a big tidy-up day at the Learning Exchange, decluttering and reorganising to make better use of our resources. Looking ahead, several students and tutors have been invited to take part in case study interviews, helping us reflect on and share the impact of our work.
Reflective and reflexive practice continues to shape our day-to-day decisions, while meeting tutors in their own spaces has widened our network and opened doors to new collaborations. The pride shown by the Pallet People in their finished bench highlights the value of hands-on, creative learning. The exciting prospect of “The Cabin” as an additional space has generated enthusiasm among tutors, students, and the team.
November was a month of creativity, connection, and reflection. Thank you to everyone who took part, supported, or helped make it happen. We’re excited to see what December brings!
