TSOB MANIFESTO
For internal/outreach use
Our Mission
To create a safe and creative space where people of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences can rediscover their emotional balance, rebuild their sense of purpose, and reconnect with society — together.
Awwd, and valued.
Our Core Principles
• No labels, no pressure – just space to breathe, create, and be human
• Everyone has something to give – whether it’s time, stories, or presence
• Healing is not just personal, it’s collective – we grow through shared experience
• Creativity is a tool for survival – and for transformation
• Technology can be humanised – AI and digital tools can support rather than replace care
The School of Being:
The Making & Sharing Stream
Creative micro-economy for dignity, joy, and social connection
Overview
The Making & Sharing stream of the School of Being provides low-cost, high-impact creative activities that promote mental wellbeing, community engagement, and ecological awareness. At its heart is a circular system of upcycling, collective creativity, and open gifting.
Participants co-create beautiful, useful items carrying motivational messages — and give them away freely or share them through community events, pop-ups, and outreach kits. This process becomes a form of personal healing, social connection, and gentle activism.
Core Principles
• Use what we already have: recycled materials, donated clothes, scrap fabrics, old tools, simple methods
• Small is powerful: one word, one print, one patch, one message
• Healing happens in the making: slow, hand-based creativity restores rhythm, calm, and agency
• Share the surplus: we don’t sell — we gift, swap, offer, and inspire others to do the same
• Make culture, not content: each object is a carrier of human energy, not algorithmic distraction
🔹 Sample Group Projects & Workshops
1. Message Patch Project
✂️ Cut from old clothing or fabric scraps
🎨 Print, stitch, draw, or paint one-line messages of hope, kindness, creativity
🪡 Sew onto jackets, tote bags, or give away in sets
🌍 Outreach: create bundles for local schools, shelters, or festivals
2. Creative Tote Bag Revival
♻️ Source second-hand totes or sew new ones from cast-offs
🖌️ Print, draw, or hand-letter motivational messages
🎁 Distribute for free at local markets, schools, and events
🧵 Workshop add-on: learn basic hand-stitching or block-printing
3. Zine & Card Drop
📄 Folded A4 zines with short School of Being messages, poems, ideas
✍️ Include community-made illustrations, writing, photos
💌 Leave in cafés, buses, libraries, or post to people
🗣️ Invite others to create their own and submit back
4. The Free Market Table
🛍️ Create a regular “giving table” at local markets
🎨 Fill with printed patches, handmade cards, notes, seed packets, poems
💬 Invite people to take, and leave something in return
🧡 Include School of Being info, gently
5. The Message Print Station (Pop-up Activity)
🖨️ A portable, solar-powered or manual print station (block/stencil/screen print)
👕 Bring your own fabric/item to print on — no cost
💬 Choose from a library of School of Being messages
🎶 Could be part of festivals, community fairs, or school days
6. Trash to Treasure Art Jam
🔁 Bring in broken, ugly, or unused household items
🎨 Turn them into art pieces or useful objects with creative messages
💬 Explore the theme: “This was nothing. Now it’s something.”
🤝 Collaborative reflection on value, waste, and worth
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🔹 Outcomes & Benefits
• For individuals: gentle reconnection with creative confidence, restored rhythm, reduced anxiety, strengthened sense of purpose
• For community: visible acts of shared care, street-level messaging, low-cost culture creation, ripple effect of motivation
• For funders: measurable social impact, local ecological awareness, inclusion of vulnerable groups, low-barrier mental wellness tools
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🔹 Example Workshop Cycle (6-week format)
Week 1 – Introduction: Why we make and share
Week 2 – Typography & message creation
Week 3 – Printmaking & patch creation
Week 4 – Upcycling personal objects
Week 5 – Group zine & storytelling
Week 6 – Community share-out / pop-up event
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🔹 Extension: The “Enough” Toolkit (for Outreach)
• A cotton tote bag or envelope filled with:
• 3 message patches
• A folded zine (poems/messages)
• One mini artwork or drawing
• Seeds or a recycled item
• School of Being info
• A note: “This was made by someone like you.”
Distributed free at schools, events, shelters, and cultural centres.
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“Let’s Do This.”
Visual Style:
• Bold, simple typography (screen-print or stencil-feel)
• Recycled paper or textile background texture
• Optional small line below:
“Use what you have. Make what you can. Share what you love.”
• School of Being name in small print at the bottom
Message Placement Ideas:
• Community walls, kitchens, cafes
• Inside the School of Being space
• Included in outreach kits
• As a T-shirt or tote bag print
• As a zine cover, or first page of a workbook
• Small card size for wallets or phones
• Spray-stencil on reused materials
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🔹 “Let’s Do This” as the Campaign Theme
Each activity, object, or message fits under it:
• ✂️ Making things → Let’s do this.
• 🧵 Repairing clothes → Let’s do this.
• 🎨 Printing patches → Let’s do this.
• 🗣️ Sharing kindness → Let’s do this.
• ♻️ Using leftovers → Let’s do this.
• 👫 Supporting someone → Let’s do this.
• 🌱 Growing a seed → Let’s do this.
• 🧘 Finding calm → Let’s do this.
This approach allows everything to stay unified and emotionally motivating, even across diverse formats.
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🔹 Mini Poster Series (Building on “Let’s Do This”)
1. Let’s do this.
Use what you have. Make what you can. Share what you love.
2. Let’s grow something.
A plant. A thought. A better way to live.
3. Let’s make culture.
Not content. Not noise. Something real.
4. Let’s be the kindness.
One message. One gesture. One moment.
5. Let’s share this.
Not for profit. Just for joy.
6. Let’s begin here.
With hands. With scraps. With hope.
7. Let’s change the story.
From ‘not enough’ to ‘more than enough.’
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Why We Share: A Reflection from the School of Being
We live in a world where everything must be owned.
Our homes. Our ideas. Our skills. Even our time.
We’re told that what is “mine” must be protected, and that to give away what we have — or what we are — is to lose power, opportunity, value.
But this is a dangerous lie.
Because the truth is: we are made for sharing.
Our minds light up when we give freely.
Science has caught up with what religion, poetry, and love have always known — that kindness creates chemical joy. That generosity reduces pain. That helping others helps us heal.
That the greatest richness is in connection, not collection.
So at the School of Being, we choose to make, not hoard.
To share, not sell.
To reclaim meaning, not profit.
This doesn’t mean we ignore the world we live in.
But it means we remember who we are beneath it.
We are not here to build walls around what we know or own.
We are here to give what we can, while we can, in the time that we have.
Not because it’s profitable.
But because it’s meaningful.
Because it feels good.
Because it is good.
Because this — this being alive, being with each other —
is the whole point.
Let’s do this.
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Optional Add-on: Referencing Legacy Wisdom
If you want to tie this into spiritual, religious, or cultural frameworks without exclusivity, we could add a gentle paragraph like:
Every tradition has tried to say this, in different ways.
From the Buddhist path of compassion, to the Christian call to love thy neighbour, to the Sufi idea of divine union, to Indigenous teachings of belonging to the land — the wisdom is always the same: we are not alone, and what we give is what we become.
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Legal Note on Copyright + Sharing
You’re right to raise the practical side of this — especially if you’re working with creatives, collaborators, or funders.
We can frame a Creative Commons-style position for the School of Being. Something like:
“The School of Being supports open sharing of ideas, stories, art, and practices created within our space. Where possible, materials are shared freely under Creative Commons licenses, especially those that allow remixing, adapting, and non-commercial sharing — because we believe that culture grows through collective effort, not private control.”
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WHO WE HELP
Primary Participants:
• Adults (18–75+) affected by trauma, burnout, anxiety, sleep disruption, or emotional disconnection — diagnosed or not.
• Younger adults facing psychological pressure, social alienation, or lack of hope.
• Elder individuals experiencing isolation, loss of purpose, or memory fatigue.
Secondary Participants (The Helpers):
• People who have navigated trauma, therapy, or emotional growth and want to give back.
• Retired professionals, ex-therapists, creative mentors, and carers seeking meaningful involvement.
• Local volunteers and artists open to co-creating safe spaces for recovery.
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MEASURABLE OUTCOMES (KPI
| Objective | KPI |
| Emotional engagement & community connection | # of participants attending ≥3 sessions / month |
| Peer support and helper involvement | # of active volunteers / mentors from ‘helper’ group |
| Creative output and storytelling | # of works produced (writing, art, media) monthly # of public showcases |
| Digital empowerment | 40% of participants using AI tools or digital platforms for self-expression or organisation |
| Social impact & wellbeing | Qualitative testimonials, well-being self-assessment (pre/post participation) |
STRUCTURE FOR DELIVERY
Function Role / Responsibility
Program Lead – Oversees delivery, participant wellbeing, and volunteer coordination
Creative Facilitators – Artists, writers, craft leaders running workshops and mentoring
Digital Coach – Supports AI and tech-based learning (writing, storytelling, planning)
Volunteer Coordinator – Engages, trains, and supports the “Helper” community
Operations/Finance – Budgeting, resource management, grant reporting
Community Outreach – Builds relationships with health centres, municipalities, and sponsors
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“Caring Presence” – The Heart of the School of Being
At the centre of the School of Being is not only the participant in need of support, but also the caring presence — someone who listens, notices, shares, and supports without pressure or formality. This is not a clinical role, nor a requirement of certification, but a natural human quality we cultivate and encourage.
We do not use terms like “therapist,” “volunteer,” or “helper” in a rigid sense. Instead, we foster a social ecology of care: people who have known stress or suffering themselves and now wish to give back in a gentle, non-hierarchical way.
These caring presences may include:
• Elders who have experienced and overcome burnout or grief
• Younger adults who have developed emotional insight through recovery
• Artists, teachers, creatives with time, empathy, and lived understanding
• Locals who simply want to be part of something warm and supportive
Their role is non-judgemental companionship, offering practical support or just being there to make someone feel safe, seen, and included. They form the invisible threads that hold the space together – a vital part of creating a trauma-aware, ethics-conscious environment without needing to constantly name it as such.
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Wellness & Ethical Grounding through Body and Community Practices
The emotional and ethical safety of our space is reinforced by regular, accessible body-based activities and grounding rituals to keep people connected to themselves and others.
These may include:
• Progressive movement sessions (adapted yoga, gentle dance, walking meditations)
• Restorative rest spaces (soft zones for naps, quiet reflection, stretching)
• Daily grounding circles where participants can check in and out
• Rhythm-based group activities like breathing, drumming, or silent walks
• Ethical co-agreements, shaped with participants, on how to care for one another
These activities will be based in and around a dedicated Wellness Centre housed within one of the three main buildings of the Antiga Fàbrica de les Capses in Canet de Mar.
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Site-Based Structure:
Antiga Fàbrica de les Capses – 3 Buildings, 3 Roles
We imagine a flowing connection between three interconnected spaces that together form the full experience of the School of Being:
1. The House of Making
Workshops | Crafts | Digital Studios | Language Exchange
• Creative expression (printmaking, zines, painting, digital art using Adobe tools)
• Skill-sharing and storytelling sessions
• Multimedia pods with headphones and iPads for journaling, journalling, or reflection
2. The Villa of Wellness & Living
Movement | Meditation | Rest | Embodied Healing | Living Well
• Guided group movement sessions (tai chi, yoga, breathwork)
• Sound therapy or ambient quiet zones
• Personal care stations (massage chairs, hydration, soft furnishings)
• A team of “caring presences” helps maintain a safe and soothing tone
3. The Social Garden & Communal Hearth
Food | Gathering | Conversation | Peer Support
• Shared meals, tea rituals, cooking sessions using local ingredients
• Story-sharing around themes of hope, repair, and personal growth
• Performances, live music, and informal celebrations
This triad of buildings and functions allows participants to move between activity, recovery, and connection in ways that match their individual rhythms and readiness.
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Ethical and Social Guidelines (Subtle but Present)
Without needing rigid rules, we design subtle scaffolds for safe, inclusive behaviour:
• Non-intrusive signage reminding guests of shared agreements (e.g. “This is a gentle space”)
• Opt-in community ethics workshops: How to listen, how to hold space
• Anonymous feedback stations to help adapt our environment continually
• Daily open circle with optional reflection, intention setting, and care-based closure
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PILOT PROGRAM (6 months)
Goals:
• Launch in 1 venue in the Maresme area (accessible by train/bus from Barcelona)
• Reach 40–60 participants across demographics
• Recruit 10–15 “Helper” volunteers to co-deliver
• Offer 2–3 workshops per week (creative + skill-based + digital)
• Deliver 1 public event showcasing participant expression
What Success Looks Like (For Funders):
• A working, low-cost model with tangible community impact
• Testimonials and artwork that communicate healing without stigma
• An adaptable, replicable format for other cultural or social spaces
• Demonstrated alignment with ESG values and social health outcomes
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Strategic Fit For Funders
Aligns With:
• Mental health recovery & reintegration frameworks (e.g. Salut Mental Catalunya)
• Local cultural development initiatives (Consorci de Cultura del Maresme, Diputació de Barcelona)
• EU New European Bauhaus principles (beauty, sustainability, inclusion)
• Corporate ESG targets in mental wellness, inclusion, ageing, and social cohesion
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NEXT STEPS
1. Finalise 3 versions of communication:
• Artistic Narrative (for public materials & cultural partners)
• Plain Institutional Narrative (for funders, public health, municipal channels)
• Helper Invitation Narrative (to attract recovering individuals as volunteers)
2. Prepare:
• One-pager for sponsorship & grants
• Pilot budget outline
• Draft outreach materials (poster, email copy, social posts)
3. Identify and approach:
• Cultural centres and civic halls in the Maresme region
• Health/social integration programs in Barcelona province
• Private funders or companies with local ESG interest (wellbeing, ageing, culture)
Expanded Value Pillars for the School of Being
1. Creative Expression → Creative Product
Participants don’t just express — they create. Art, writing, design, stories, and digital works are nurtured into tangible products that can:
• Be exhibited, published, or sold (online and locally)
• Offer ownership and pride to the creator
• Seed sustainable income streams for the School and its participants
Examples:
• Illustrated storybooks (collaborative across generations)
• Digitally printed journals, cards, or posters
• Co-designed wearable art (scarves, prints, ceramics)
• Digital zines, short films, podcast episodes
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2. Skill-Sharing & Peer-Led Learning
Every participant — whether a retired craftsperson, former teacher, or curious beginner — has something to teach or learn.
We structure this as:
• Peer-led sessions: where someone shares a life or technical skill
• Co-facilitated workshops: blending elder knowledge with youth tech fluency
• Helper mentoring tracks: volunteers receive light guidance to co-lead sessions over time
Skills shared may include:
• Ceramics, woodwork, graphic design, painting, creative writing, needlework, cooking
• Storytelling and performance, scriptwriting, stage design,
• Language practice, basic tech skills, AI-assisted journaling, listening skills, conversational & debate skills,
• First aid, crisis skills, resuscitation skills,
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3. Group Experiences for Emotional Reconnection (Structured but non-clinical)
Instead of “group therapy,” we offer guided creative group experiences that naturally lead to sharing, reflection, and healing:
Framed as:
• “Shared circles”
• “Creative dialogue sessions”
• “Reflective making”
• “Living library” (where people are ‘books’ sharing stories)
Examples:
• Group mural painting on themes like belonging, loss, joy
• “Write your day, then share one sentence” – guided expressive writing
• Listening Circles around a prompt like “A moment that changed me”
• Collective digital collage on ‘what matters now’
These offer structure, trust, and healing, without using formal therapy language.
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4. Creative Technology & Monetisable Digital Skills
Use tools like Adobe Creative Cloud for Education, Canva, Notion, and AI-based platforms to help participants:
• Express themselves visually and narratively
• Learn practical creative skills (design, layout, image editing)
• Build confidence with digital tools
• Co-create content for social good, exhibitions, and sale
Suggested Programs/Tracks:
• “Design for Self + Others” – poster, brochure, or personal storybook design
• “Create Your Legacy” – elders design their own digital memory book with help from youth
• “Express + Sell” – learn how to make art prints, postcards, or zines for pop-ups or Etsy
• “From Idea to Impact” – basic intro to websites, online shops, or social storytelling
Potential Partnerships: Adobe Creative Cloud for Education, Canva for Nonprofits, Notion for Community, Substack, or even local co-ops for handmade products
(Catalan federations often support this kind of initiative).
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MONETISATION & SUSTAINABILITY PATHWAYS
To ensure long-term impact and resource independence, the School of Being can gradually incubate community-led social enterprise projects.
Revenue Streams (Phase 2+)
• Sales of creative products (in-person pop-ups and online)
• Workshops or talks for external audiences (e.g. mental health week, cultural events)
• Subscription-based “supporter content” (community zine, podcast, artwork releases)
• Donor/Patron model from creative exhibitions or online platforms
• CSR or ESG partnerships with ethical brands seeking community storytelling
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WHERE THIS FITS IN THE PILOT & FUNDING STRATEGY
Pilot (First 6 Months)
• Deliver 2 creative product tracks (one physical, one digital)
• Set up Adobe Creative Cloud education access & tech support for 10–15 participants
• Launch 3–4 skill-sharing sessions led by participants or “Helpers”
• Host 1 public showcase (gallery or online)
• Create 1 monetisable micro-product line (e.g. cards, zines, prints)
• Begin digital storytelling platform (blog, IG, or Substack)
KPIs
• of participants using digital creative tools
• of original products created
• of skill-sharing sessions delivered by non-staff
• Revenue from first round of creative sales
• Testimonials around emotional growth via creative work
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Selected Proposal Titles:
Creative Technology Partnership Proposal
Adobe, Canva, Notion
This is a draft proposal outline to approach platforms like Adobe Creative Cloud for Education, Canva for Nonprofits, and Notion for Communities. It frames the request in alignment with their values (accessibility, empowerment, education, inclusion).
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Creative Empowerment for Emotional Recovery
A Partnership between The School of Being and Creative Tech Providers
Summary:
The School of Being is a creative recovery centre in the Maresme region of Barcelona, offering inclusive, non-clinical support for individuals recovering from trauma, burnout, or emotional disconnection. We work with diverse participants — from youth experiencing anxiety and uncertainty, to older adults feeling isolated or overlooked.
As part of our mission to foster dignity, creativity, and reconnection, we aim to integrate creative digital tools (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, Notion) into our programming, helping participants:
• Express their personal stories visually and meaningfully
• Learn practical, marketable creative skills (design, layout, journaling, storytelling)
• Build confidence with modern technology
• Produce works (zines, posters, prints, websites) that may be shared or monetised
• Collaborate across generations through co-creation
We seek a partnership or sponsorship arrangement that supports:
What We Request:
• Access to Adobe Creative Cloud for Education (or Canva Pro for Nonprofits) for 10–20 participants
• Ongoing use for creative recovery and expression (non-profit, community-based use only)
• Optional: one-time remote creative workshop or onboarding support from Adobe/Canva/Notion educators or volunteers
What We Offer in Return:
• Full recognition and brand visibility in School of Being exhibitions, printed work, and online storytelling
• Inclusion in our public reporting as a creative technology partner
• Opportunity to feature participant testimonials or outcomes as impact stories for your own ESG and community engagement reporting
• Long-term community relationship with a scalable model in Catalonia and beyond
Why It Matters:
This partnership supports:
• Social equity: many participants lack access to high-quality creative tools
• Digital inclusion: older adults, neurodivergent individuals, and migrants often face tech barriers
• Mental health innovation: using creative tech as a therapeutic and social bridge
• Sustainability and impact: outcomes will be documented, shared, and celebrated
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Pilot Metrics:
• 15+ participants using tools regularly in creative workshops
• 3–5 skill-sharing sessions built around digital design
• 20+ creative works produced and exhibited
• Measurable self-reported increase in digital and emotional confidence
• Co-produced story or showcase to be submitted to Adobe/Canva for global visibility
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Adobe Creative Cloud Partnership Proposal Letter (Education & Impact Aligned)
To: Adobe Creative Cloud for Education Partnerships Team
From: School of Being, Maresme (Barcelona)
Subject: Partnership Proposal – Empowering Creative Recovery Through Adobe Tools
Dear Adobe Education & Community Partnerships Team,
We are reaching out on behalf of the School of Being, a new social and creative recovery initiative based in the Maresme region of Barcelona, dedicated to helping people rebuild dignity, confidence, and connection after experiences of emotional trauma, occupational burnout, or psychological disconnection.
At the heart of our programme lies creative empowerment—and Adobe Creative Cloud offers exactly the kind of tools we believe can help transform lives. Through access to platforms like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, and Express, our participants—many of whom are navigating a return to community life—can explore visual storytelling, journaling, skill-sharing, and digital expression that rebuilds both confidence and capability.
We propose a collaborative pilot partnership with Adobe for Education and Social Impact to:
• Provide Adobe Creative Cloud access for participants and caring facilitators
• Deliver creative skill-building workshops using Adobe tools (both basic and advanced levels)
• Create portfolio-based outcomes including posters, zines, digital journals, and storytelling videos
• Promote peer-led social content sharing personal transformation journeys using Adobe Express
• Offer community visibility through showcases and digital exhibitions co-branded with Adobe
We are particularly aligned with Adobe’s commitment to creativity for all, and would welcome any support you can provide in the form of:
• Sponsored or discounted Creative Cloud accounts for our participants
• Workshop templates or speaker sessions from Adobe Educators
• Technical mentorship, tools or assets to enhance curriculum
• Inclusion in your broader Adobe for Education social impact narrative
The School of Being is not a clinic, but a human-centred creative hub where the arts meet healing, and technology becomes a bridge to connection. Our pilot is structured for measurable outcomes and wide community engagement, with a full impact report planned.
We would love the opportunity to discuss this potential collaboration and show how Adobe can play a visible, transformative role in a new kind of creative recovery model — one rooted in dignity, shared humanity, and a belief that everyone can reimagine their story.
Warm regards,
Greville Edwards
Founder, School of Being
grev@me.com | beingschool.eu | https://grev.substack.com
Contact:
Greville Edwards | School of Being
grev@me.com | beingschool.eu
Barcelona Province, Spain
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Monetisable Workshop Programme Outline (First 3–6 Months)
This initial workshop series is designed to:
• Support healing through creative process
• Build digital and practical skills
• Foster intergenerational connection
• Generate outputs that can be shared, exhibited, or sold
• Provide a clear, fundable pilot structure for sponsors and institutions
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PROGRAM TITLE:
“Create to Reconnect”
A monetisable workshop series by the School of Being
Duration: 12–24 weeks, depending on group rhythm
Each module runs weekly for 2–3 hours
Target Participants:
• Adults and elders (18–75+) recovering from trauma, burnout, or social exclusion
• Young people (16–30) facing disconnection, anxiety, or lack of direction
• “Helpers” — individuals who have healed and now want to support others
Structure: 3 Core Tracks — flexible, modular, can run in parallel or sequentially:
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Track 1. ‘Visible Stories’ – Personal Narratives & Digital Expression
In collaboration with: Adobe Creative Cloud or Canva
Outcome: Print-ready or digital products based on personal stories
Workshops include:
• Visual storytelling with Photoshop & Illustrator
• Making a personal zine or story poster
• Creative journaling with InDesign or Canva
• Optional: Building a simple online visual diary or digital memory book
Outputs:
• Printed zines or A3 posters
• A pop-up exhibition or online showcase
• Limited edition postcard/booklet sets (for sale or donation-based gifting)
Revenue Potential:
• Product sales at events/pop-ups
• Online sale (Shopify/Etsy or local site)
• Commissioned story/poster formats (for NGOs, local initiatives)
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Track 2. ‘Hands & Heart’ – Practical Craft & Emotional Repair
Co-led by community artists and participants
Workshops include:
• Painting as reflection (themes: belonging, joy, resilience)
• Ceramics with meaning (cups, bowls, small sculptures)
• Textile creations (healing embroidery, story cloths, wearable designs)
• Elder-youth skill exchange sessions
Outputs:
• Artisan-quality pieces to exhibit or sell
• Shared intergenerational creations (e.g. grandparent/grandchild co-design)
• Emotional release via tactile creation
Revenue Potential:
• Sale of ceramics, textiles, prints
• Commission pieces or artist collabs
• Donation-based community auction or gallery night
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Track 3. “Tools for Life” – Digital Confidence & Everyday Empowerment
Focus: Simple creative technology for mental clarity, organisation, and expression
Using: Notion, Canva, Adobe Express, basic audio tools, Google Suite
Workshops include:
• “Create Your Calm” – building your personal digital space (mood boards, journals, focus playlists)
• Designing your own daily rhythm (templates for sleep tracking, anxiety check-ins, gratitude logs)
• Using AI to structure your thoughts or create therapeutic prompts
• Teaching elders to use digital tools with help from youth
Outputs:
• Personalised digital dashboard or printed journals
• Custom affirmations or reflection cards
• Group-made toolkit of wellbeing templates
Revenue Potential:
• Selling toolkits or journals (physical/digital)
• Creating workshops for outside groups (educators, carers, NGOs)
• Subscriptions to community newsletter or content bundle
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Support Team Roles:
• Creative Facilitator (part-time)
• Digital Workshop Lead (Adobe/Notion experience)
• “Helper” Support & Logistics (peer mentoring)
• Finance/Admin Lead (for grants, micro-sales)
• Partnership & Showcase Coordinator
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Key KPIs:
• 25+ workshop sessions delivered
• 50+ original participant works created
• 1 public showcase or marketplace
• 10–20 monetisable products launched
• 5+ testimonials highlighting emotional or functional improvement
• Intergenerational team delivery (youth + elders + helpers)
Additional Deliverables for Thread 2
- Printable Workshop Calendar (Pilot – 12 Weeks)
| Week | Track 1: Visible Stories | Track 2: Hands & Heart | Track 3: Tools for Life |
| 1 | Intro to visual journaling | Clay & calm: pinch pot therapy | Create Your Calm: Digital Spaces |
| 2 | Poster-making from memories | Story painting (abstracts) | Mood boards & sleep trackers |
| 3 | Self-symbols with Illustrator | Ceramics: cups of connection | Canva journals & reflection cards |
| 4 | Zine layout with InDesign/Canva | Embroidery & emotions | Digital gratitude & rituals |
| 5 | Colour as emotion (Photoshop) | Textile textures + elder tips | Organise your life in Notion |
| 6 | Group story: community collage | Co-creation: youth + elder | AI for affirmations / writing help |
| 7 | Final zine assembly | Curate a mini object gallery | Make your digital healing toolkit |
| 8 | Print & present: story posters | Paint your strength | Build a creative weekly planner |
| 9 | Reflective walk + photo journaling | Felt & form: soft sculpture | Calm + creative email & content use |
| 10 | Showcase prep | Gallery wall build | Toolkit print / share session |
| 11 | Public sharing day | Creative market or swap day | Group digital portfolio setup |
| 12 | Feedback circles + closure ritual | Celebration & takeaway gifts | Ongoing digital buddy match-up |
2. Cost vs Income Projections (First 12–Week Cycle)
| Category | Estimated Cost (€) | Potential Revenue (€) | Notes |
| Facilitators (3 part-time roles) | 5,400 | – | Local artists, digital creatives, hosts |
| Materials (print, craft, digital) | 2,000 | – | Ink, clay, fabric, paper, subscriptions |
| Space rental / utilities | 1,800 | – | Community space or shared venue |
| Printing (zines, posters, cards) | 700 | 400–800 | Sold/donated at events |
| Digital tools (Adobe, Canva, etc) | 0–1,200 (seeking support) | – | Ideally covered through tech sponsorship |
| Event revenue (pop-up sale) | – | 500–1,000 | Sale of ceramics, zines, textiles, toolkits |
| Donations / sliding entry fees | – | 300–800 | Pay-what-you-can community contributions |
| Total | ~€9,900 | ~€1,200–2,600 | Shortfall ideally covered by grants/sponsorship |
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💡 Net shortfall (~€7,500–€8,500) would be addressed through funding from arts/cultural bodies, health departments, and creative tech partners.
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3. Suggested Pilot Timeline
Phase 1: Preparation (1 month)
• Finalise space, facilitators, schedule
• Confirm Adobe/tech support or alternatives
• Begin participant registration (self-referral + community orgs)
Phase 2: Delivery (3 months)
• 12-week structured workshops (see calendar)
• Ongoing feedback collection + informal peer exchange
• Build public showcase
Phase 3: Reflection & Scaling (1 month)
• Collect participant stories + visuals
• Produce impact report (testimonials, outputs, KPIs)
• Propose phase 2 expansion (more groups, bilingual delivery, roaming workshops across Maresme)
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Thread 3: The ‘Helper’ Role (Casual, Caring & Peer-Inclusive Framing)
Let’s now reframe and reintroduce the ‘helper’ as ‘a caring presence‘—a compassionate peer who simply wants to contribute.
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Working Title:
“You Don’t Need to Be a Therapist to Help Someone Heal”
(Invitation text for caring community members)
Invitation Message (for a flyer or grant text):
There are many of us who’ve come through something difficult—burnout, grief, anxiety, trauma—and come out the other side not perfect, but more aware. More grounded. And more willing to sit with others as they begin their own journey.
At the School of Being, we believe that healing happens best in community—not from experts alone, but through shared creativity, care, and everyday connection.
We invite you – whether you’re a retiree with a little time, a former nurse or artist, a parent who’s been through emotional storms, or just a good listener—to join us not as a volunteer, but as part of a living, creative network.
You don’t have to fix anyone. Just be around. Take part.
Share a cup of tea, help with an art session, or teach someone how to make a collage, use Photoshop, or simply sit still and breathe. No titles, no pressure.
Just presence.
What You Might Do:
• Share your story through a zine or journal
• Sit with someone while they make something
• Join a walk or a creative circle
• Help hang an exhibition or run a small community sale
• Teach a skill—sewing, formatting a Word doc, creating a digital diary
• Be a witness to someone else’s gentle return to life
Why It Matters:
Many people carry wounds in silence. But in community, in creativity, and in presence—we find our way back.
You’ve made it this far. So maybe now it’s your turn to simply show up…
… and help someone else remember they still matter.
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SCHOOL OF BEING – PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK (Thread 4)
1. Clarity of Value – What We Do and Why It Matters
Mission (Plainly):
The School of Being is a social and creative recovery centre for people affected by emotional and psychological distress. We help participants reconnect with their potential, each other, and their community—through creativity, learning, and shared human presence.
Vision:
To build a society where people heal together—across generations, through creative exchange, care, and the power of being present.
Who We Help:
• People experiencing stress, insomnia, burnout, emotional disconnection
• Those affected by grief, trauma, or social exclusion
• Young people with low future expectations
• Older adults feeling isolated or unused
• Caring individuals who wish to offer quiet support (not therapy, just presence)
How They Benefit:
• Reconnection to creativity and purpose
• New digital and real-world skills
• Peer support and community integration
• Opportunities for dignity and contribution
• Recognition of their lived experience as valuable
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2. Measurable Outcomes (for Funders & Partners)
We will demonstrate progress using the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
| Indicator | Description |
| # of Participants Engaged | Monthly participation (target: 50–100/month) |
| # of Workshops Delivered | Creative sessions, digital tools, language or care skills |
| Satisfaction Rating | Participant self-reported wellbeing and usefulness (8+/10) |
| # of Collaborative Projects | Digital portfolios, local events, zines, exhibitions |
| Skill Acquisition | Demonstrated learning in tools like Photoshop, Canva, etc. |
| Community Reintegration | Testimonials and stories of people giving back |
3. Delivery Structure – Roles & Operations
| Role | Responsibility |
| Creative Coordinator | Oversees programme delivery, creative direction |
| Peer Facilitators (“Caring Presence”) | Casual mentors with lived experience, guide group sessions |
| Local Collaborators | Artists, therapists, digital tutors (from Maresme region) |
| Community Support Host | Welcomes participants, helps with logistics and comfort |
| Admin & Grants Liaison | Reporting, metrics, funding and institutional relationships |
4. Pilot Offer for Funders / Partners
Pilot Title: “Creative Presence” – 6-week Introductory Programme
Timeline:
• Weeks 1–2: Recruitment, setup, creative space activation
• Weeks 3–6: 2 workshops/week (e.g. digital art, journaling, skill-sharing)
• Week 6: Showcase of small group projects or creative reflections
Success Criteria:
• 30+ active participants
• 10+ community helpers involved
• 90% participant satisfaction
• Documented outcomes, images, testimonials
• Learnings gathered to evolve Phase 2
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5. Funding & Support Requests
We invite institutions, foundations, and cultural bodies to support us through:
• Seed Funding (€5–15K) for materials, space, coordination
• Expertise – digital tutors, creativity mentors, mental health advocates
• Venue Access – shared studios, libraries, classrooms
• Technology Donations – laptops, software licenses (Adobe, Canva, etc.)
• Visibility – co-branded events, case studies, social storytelling
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6. Tailored Communications Approach
We’ve prepared two messaging styles for different audiences:
• Cultural Institutions & Creatives:
Focus on artistic growth, co-creation, intergenerational exchange, narrative recovery
• Health & Social Agencies / Funders:
Focus on measurable recovery impact, reintegration, skill-building, social value
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Impact
- Reconnection of people to themselves, each other, and society
- Increased wellbeing, confidence and contribution among participants
- Reduced loneliness and social exclusion
- A replicable, low-cost model blending art, care, and contemporary tools
Project Activities
Weekly arts & crafts sessions led by artists and therapists
Multilingual language learning groups (Catalan, Spanish, English)
Peer-led storytelling, journaling, and reflective writing
Civic contribution modules (first aid, neighbourhood volunteering, sustainability workshops)
Regular community events to showcase participant work and promote engagement
Outcomes & Evaluation
Quarterly participant feedback & psychological well-being self-assessments
Community participation metrics (volunteering, exhibitions, social return) Skills acquired and re-employment or re-engagement pathways
Program Highlights
1. Creative Recovery Art and craft workshops Guided journaling and storytelling Poetry and expression through AI writing assistants Collage, painting, and visual art generation with AI tools
2. Digital Confidence & Practical Technology Introduction to AI and digital tools for personal use Website building and digital portfolios for self-expression AI-assisted planners and organizers to help with executive function difficulties (common after trauma) Safe, trauma-informed digital literacy sessions
3. Social & Linguistic Integration Catalan, Spanish, and English language exchange groups Communication skills and public expression training Intercultural dialogue circles
Community Reconnection
First aid and civic responsibility modules (e.g. CPR, crisis response)
Volunteering opportunities and public contribution projects
Public events, exhibitions, and online platforms to showcase participant work
Target Groups
Adults facing long-term psychological challenges due to trauma, injury, abuse, or social exclusion Individuals recovering from burnout, especially in high-responsibility roles (e.g. teachers, carers, healthcare workers)
Culturally and linguistically diverse residents in the Barcelona area, including migrants and displaced persons People with functional barriers to digital tools or societal engagement
Goals Promote restorative healing through creativity and expression
Build digital literacy and confidence, especially in AI tools that can support mental clarity, time management, and personal storytelling
Enable re-entry into social participation, with tangible, confidence-building roles
Create a replicable model of non-clinical creative rehabilitation for use across other regions
Funding Request
We seek €[amount] to support:
Facilitator and digital mentor contracts (creative coaches, tech instructors)
Online content creation (AI-powered therapeutic modules, digital learning)
Outreach and visibility (web presence, translation, communications)
Evaluation and impact measurement (qualitative and data-driven)
Venue rental and adaptation to accessibility standards
Materials (art supplies, books, educational materials)
Development of multilingual outreach materials
Legal and administrative support to maintain operations
Partnerships & Local Alignment
The project aligns with:
Ajuntament de Barcelona’s Community Action Initiatives
EU New European Bauhaus principles (creative inclusion, beauty, sustainability)
Local cultural and third-sector networks
CAPs and Mental Health units
Arts & Culture Centres
Language schools and adult education providers
Voluntary service and civic preparedness organizations
Pla Integral de Salut Mental i Addiccions de Catalunya
Pla Estratègic de Cultura de Catalunya (2021–2030)
Digital Europe Programme for human-centred AI usage
Municipal support frameworks for third-sector innovation and cultural rehabilitation
Impact & Sustainability
Digital and creative skills for personal and economic reintegration
Tangible self-expression and storytelling for trauma processing
Measurable reduction in social isolation and improved daily functioning
Creation of an open-source, adaptable model to be used across Catalonia and beyond