MEET THREE MAKERS EMPOWERING WOMEN

KREATIVE PURSUIT

SHIKIRA ALLEYNE-SAMUEL

What led you to launch Kreative Pursuit?

While working in education, I was working with children who had emotional and behavioural disorders. I became interested in the link between creativity and mental health and, through research, came across the concept of “flow”. Flow is when your complete attention is focused on the outcome of an activity, and you’re completely engrossed in it. I realised that this would be beneficial to everybody. I was going through a transitional period in my own life, too. I had had my second child and was feeling disconnected from my creativity. I completely committed to my role as a mother and had neglected my creative side. The Kreative Pursuit was first my own journey towards reigniting my “flow”. Once I experienced the positive impact, Kreative Pursuit was born. My first mission was to show people how easy it is to try a new craft and, this year, my aim is to speak more about how creative endeavours can impact everyday life.

Why is creativity key to mental wellbeing?

Psychology research shows that there is a benefit to engaging in creativity to boost mental