Creativity, Connection and Calm in the Heart of Bridgetown
Mindful Making Totnes
Every Wednesday morning, the mezzanine at St John’s Church in Bridgetown fills with the gentle hum of creativity. It’s here that Claire Allford, founder of Mindful Making Totnes, hosts a free weekly drop‑in session designed to help people slow down, connect, and rediscover the simple joy of making things with their hands.
Running alongside the church’s popular Community Café from 10am to 12pm, the group welcomes people of all ages and abilities. There’s no need to book, no pressure to be “artistic”, and no cost — something Claire is determined to protect. “I don’t want money to be a barrier for people to attend and find support,” she says.
Creativity as a Lifeline
For Claire, creativity has always been part of life, even if it sometimes slipped down the priority list. When the pandemic brought everything to a halt, she found herself returning to the projects she’d long put aside. That period of enforced stillness became unexpectedly transformative. “Being creative absolutely kept me going,” she reflects. “It was so therapeutic, and I wanted to share that good feeling with others.”
Her sessions are built around that principle: simple, accessible activities that gently focus the mind. Claire describes it as “active meditation” — the way making something with your hands can quieten the noise of everyday life, ease worries, and open up space for self‑expression. Participants often find that a couple of hours can pass without them even noticing.
The group sits comfortably within the wider community offer at St John’s. The church’s Pay What You Feel Café provides tea, coffee and homemade cake downstairs, while Citizens Advice South Hams are on hand each week for anyone needing guidance or support.
Up on the mezzanine, Claire brings her own experience as a trained mental health first aider, ensuring the space feels safe, calm and welcoming. Materials are provided, and each week offers a different creative project to try — something to take home, or just enjoy in the moment. The meetings are friendly and relaxed, with plenty of conversation and mutual encouragement. One regular describes it as “a kind and caring group… mixed ages, fantastic people, and everyone willing to help each other. Nothing is a problem and you are totally free to express yourself.”
Stitching Community Together
For Claire, the heart of Mindful Making is connection; “We help each other,” she says. “It’s a lovely, safe and supportive group.”
Mindful Making Totnes runs every Wednesday, 10am–12pm, at St John’s Church, Bridgetown.
For more information, Claire can be contacted at eagleowl1429@gmail.com or by calling 07503 474548.
Updates are shared on Facebook at facebook.com/mindfulmakingtotnes and on Instagram @mindfulmakingtotnes.