Laura Richards
Melksham,Wiltshire
Summary
Oil painter, creative art workshop facilitator, therapeutic mentor. Passion for a person-centred approach and committed to engaging communities in accessing and experiencing art.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work history
Creative Arts Therapeutic Mentor
Freelance
Wiltshire
2020.01 - 2026.04
- Delivering one-on-one sessions to guide young people through various challenges using creativity.
- Personalised approached, allowing expression and healing through creativity. Providing emotional and artistic support, to achieve goals and overcome challenges.
- Working within Artist Studio setting.
- Implemented peer mentoring programmes allowing mutual growth and learning opportunities for all participants.
Social Care Practitioner (Casual Staff)
Emergency Duty Team, Out of Hours
Wiltshire
2017.07 - 2026.04
- Safeguarding Adults at risk of harm during out of hours.
- Making hospital and community referrals for those in crisis, reducing risk to physical and mental health.
- Communicating professionally and diplomatically across all healthcare and social care levels.
Art Workshops
Artist Facilitator
Wiltshire and Somerset
2017.01 - 2026.04
- Facilitating regular art workshops for adults, young people and Home Educated children. Including art for well-being, structured sessions and process focused approaches.
- Teaching and guiding children passionate about art. Encouraging personal skills and development within after school provision.
- 1-2-1 Art lessons.
- Providing a range of communities with opportunities to be creative, exploring mediums and techniques.
- Studio, Art Centre and School based.
Artist Facilitator
Freelance, Wiltshire Adopters (WANDS)
Melksham
2018.01 - 2024.05
- Planning and facilitating monthly Art sessions for Wiltshire Adopters Network Development Society.
- Sensory based session for adopted young people.
- Supporting social well-being of children, parents and prospective adopters through art.
Education
Higher National Diploma - Creative Arts
Open College of the Arts
Barnsley, BNS 2011.01 - 2016.01
Diploma of Higher Education - National Diploma in Fine Art & Design
Wiltshire College
Art Therapy Practitioner
Scholistico
2001.04 -
GCSEs - A-C's including Art - A
St Augustine's Catholic College
2001.04 -
Skills
- Patient and person-centered
- Attention to detail
- Creative problem-solving
- Workshop facilitation
- Engaging and enthusiastic
References
References available upon request.
Community Art
2024
- Working with Julian House to raise awareness and support the charity on their Summer Sunday Event through Live Painting and children's activity.
- Working with HeartsTalk to create a painting for their donor wall within the new community hub.
Peacock Arts 2023
- Working with the young people of Corsham Youth Zone to construct and work into sketchbooks with a theme of natural pigments and repurposed materials.
- Landscapes our inspiration for marks, shapes and colours, the young people painted into their books. The finished sketchbooks were displayed in The Corsham Bookshop as part of the Arts Trail.
Community School Project ‘High Fives all round' 2021
- Engaging primary school children to reflect and create in response to the pandemic. Using the positive social interaction of high fives, to celebrate the return to school with friends and peers. Over 100 children created to produce one collective piece of art, installed as a large 2D work.
Timeline
Creative Arts Therapeutic Mentor
Freelance
2020.01 - 2026.04
Artist Facilitator
Freelance, Wiltshire Adopters (WANDS)
2018.01 - 2024.05
Social Care Practitioner (Casual Staff)
Emergency Duty Team, Out of Hours
2017.07 - 2026.04
Art Workshops
Artist Facilitator
2017.01 - 2026.04
Higher National Diploma - Creative Arts
Open College of the Arts
2011.01 - 2016.01
Art Therapy Practitioner
Scholistico
2001.04 -
GCSEs - A-C's including Art - A
St Augustine's Catholic College
2001.04 -
Diploma of Higher Education - National Diploma in Fine Art & Design
Wiltshire College