CREATIVE
DAYS
Our Story
Art has been at the heart of everything I do for as long as I can remember. My strongest childhood memories are the times I spent creating and when I think about them today they still fill me with joy. I set up Creative Days for the children in our community to explore and develop their own creativity and make happy memories which will hopefully stay with them forever too.
I moved to Bedford from London where I studied Fine Art and Metalwork at Camberwell College then Secondary Art Teaching and Art Therapy at Goldsmiths. I feel passionately about the positive impact art can have on our wellbeing and firmly believe that every child can enjoy art and benefit from its therapeutic qualities through effective teaching. I was born in Sheffield and raised in the Hope Valley where I still call home. I have a husband and three children, life is busy but I dream that one day I will begin making my own art once again.
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Philippa McDonald
'Philippa has created something special which encourages and gently nurtures the children
in such a warm and friendly space'
Our Team
Our team is built of the most wonderful people, there to help and support our young artists and each other each in their own unique way.
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All our adults hold an enhanced DBS.
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I’ve worked with Philippa at Creative Days since 2017, initially alongside my work as a freelance writer and communications consultant for the creative arts sector and in 2021 I started training to be an integrative arts psychotherapist.
Originally I studied fine art at foundation level, and then meandered over to creative writing at university, had a band when I lived and worked in London, and nowadays my creative energy is spent both in my work and art journaling at home, and though hard to fit in with three children, I like to have a jam with a few friends.
Creative Days has been a really important part of what I do, both in learning from Philippa who is a wonderful artist and friend, and from the children we work with who never cease to inspire me in their vibrance, humour and creativity.
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Liz Holley
I am a retired teacher having worked in Bedford lower schools across all ages and abilties. I have worked with Creative Days since 2014 and I love it - never a dull moment! Philippa is so full of imagintive ideas for the children to work on. Her activities cover different cultures and ages using such a variety of materials, tools and skills. The children really engage in the art and always produce super work in their individual styles.
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Debbie Gilbert
I am a practising artist having recently studied A level Art and a foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
I have worked with Creative Days since 2019, my favourite aspect of the workshops being our teams passion for nurturing creative joy, expression and confidence in every single child, which I believe to be an integral part of growing up.
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Betty McDonald
I joined the Creative Days team in September 2020.
It's a pleasure to work with the children, see
them express their creative side working with arts and crafts and also learning new skills myself.
It is such a happy and fun environment to work in, and be part of a very supportive team.
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Julie Holley
