My name is Stephen L’Normand, and I am contacting you to explore a collaboration between your organization and my unique craft workshops aimed at promoting mental well-being through social prescribing.
About Me
As a Master Court Mason with over 40 years of experience, I have honed my skills in the art of heritage architecture and sculpture, training in the City of London with one of the last great companies. My lineage of expertise traces back nearly a thousand years, with connections to Master Masons serving British and French royal families. This rich history has provided me with an invaluable understanding of traditional craftsmanship, which I have been passionate about sharing since 1995. Throughout my career, I have worked with a diverse range of individuals, including those experiencing subclinical depression, autism, bipolar disorder and also with ex offenders and ex servicemen with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, insomnia, and substance use disorder.
The positive impact of craft-based activities on mental health and cognitive functions is well documented, making my workshops a fitting complement to your organization’s mission.
The Proposal
I propose to offer a series of socially prescribed craft workshops, which could be run as standalone sessions but more usefully as part of a structured course. Each workshop will be equipped with all necessary tools, materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), and insurance, ensuring a safe and productive environment for all participants.
Benefits to Participants
Working and learning within a craft tradition and culture can ease and help prevent subclinical depression in trades and craftspeople but also hobbyists as I have come to understand through the feedback I receive from my workshops with the public. For instance here is a example of some feedback shared with me by a man from my over 50’s group.
“.....have been surprised at what I can achieve under expert mentoring - and the benefits go well beyond a developing skill set. For me there has been a significant mental health benefit. This has become a great aid to combating the depression that came with retirement and I look forward to my weekly session in the workshop.”
Research shows that engaging in regular craft activities can have significant mental health benefits, including: -
Enhanced Cognitive Functions: Regular physical activity and creative expression have been linked to improved memory, cognitive abilities, and a reduced risk of cognitive decline.
Social Interaction: Craft workshops provide opportunities for social connections, crucial for combating loneliness and isolation, particularly in middle and old age.
Creativity and Emotional Well-Being: The hands-on nature of crafting can induce a “flow state,” offering therapeutic benefits and enhancing confidence and motivation among participants.
Implementation and Collaboration
I envision our collaboration as a way to integrate these workshops into your current offerings as a social prescription, targeting individuals who may benefit from creative engagement. By working together, we can provide a structured and supportive environment that encourages participants to explore their creativity while fostering social connections.
I would love to discuss this proposal further and explore how we can work together to support the well-being of individuals through craftsmanship. I believe that our collective efforts can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for considering this collaboration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss it with you.
Regards,
Stephen
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.