Creative Mentoring
Creative mentoring is a calm, welcoming space to slow down and explore what’s going on inside, using simple art materials as a way back into the present moment.
You don’t need any artistic skill — just a willingness to show up as you are. Through gentle guidance, tactile making, and reflective conversation, people often find themselves feeling more grounded, less anxious, and more connected to their own ideas and strengths.
It’s a supportive process that helps you notice, make sense, and move forward in a way that feels steady and authentic.
Sessions are completed 1:1 online, and as a practising artist, my role is to facilitate your ideas and encourage a sense of agency in these meetings.
WATCH THIS SPACE to find out more, or to book a session.
my credentials
I am a practising artist and art teacher, with twenty six years experience in mainstream and SEND schools. I have trained in Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy in 2025, as well as Drawing and Talking and Sand-tray therapy.
I have a Masters Degree in SEND and identify as a neuro-diverse professional and parent and my experiences in this area drive my wish to make a difference and support others. I am safeguarding trained and have a current DBS.
For Testimonies from those who have worked with me see here
For my policies please see here
‘out of the box’ commmunity project
'Out of the Box' is a research and development project supporting neurodivergent home-educated children and their parents through inclusive, trauma-informed creative mentoring. Led by myself as a practising artist, SEND parent, and former senior leader in inclusion — the project uses printmaking, visual journalling, and reflective workshops to explore emotional wellbeing, resilience, and connection.
The project responds to rising exclusion rates among neurodivergent children and the growing number of families turning to home education. It will pilot mentoring groups across the Midlands, co-designed with families and delivered in sensory-friendly venues. To ensure accessibility and responsiveness, the project will also offer creative mentoring prompt boxes — tactile low risk engaging kits posted to families with reflective materials and art prompts, as well as optional online mentoring sessions for parents using similar kits. These approaches recognise and reduce barriers and offer low-pressure, sensory-friendly access to creative support. These and the name of the project connect to my established practice of utilising everyday materials, especially boxes, to make art.
As a parent of neurodivergent children, I’ve witnessed the emotional toll of exclusion and the quiet resilience required to navigate systems that weren’t built with our needs in mind. This project is deeply personal and a response to the isolation, the advocacy, and the creativity that home education often demands. It’s also a celebration of the gentle power of art to hold space, foster connection, and restore agency.
My artistic practice explores neglected and transitional spaces: abandoned buildings, architectural fragments, and overlooked textures as metaphors for emotional containment and release. I’m interested in how environments shape our inner worlds, and how creative processes can help us reclaim space, both physically and psychologically. These themes will inform the visual language of the project, from the torn paper textures of the prompt boxes to the reflective journalling and final exhibition. At present I already engage with others in this collaborative format and I would look forward to having the same supportive role with participants in the project.
'Out of the Box' is designed to be iterative and responsive. It will unfold in four phases: foundation, pilot development, evaluation and expansion, and legacy. Activities include mentoring, CPD, co-designed workshops, exhibition, evaluation, and dissemination. Outcomes include improved wellbeing, stronger social connection, increased creative engagement, and a sustainable model for future delivery.
This project is not just about supporting others — it’s about modelling inclusive, reflective practice from the inside out. It’s about creating spaces where neurodivergent families feel seen, heard, and creatively empowered.
This research and development project begins in March 2026 and ends in September 2027 and if you would like to follow along, I will be using a blog to share what happens throughout.
expression of interest
As a neuro-diverse artist and parent, I am launching a new Arts Council National Lottery funded project called ‘Out of the Box’, offering free, gentle art‑based wellbeing sessions for neuro-divergent families.
These sessions are especially designed for:
creative children aged 10-16 who are home educated or EBSA
parents who want simple, regulating activities they can use at home to co-regulate with their child
parents who would like a safe space to nurture their own wellbeing
Sessions will run at three different Midlands locations over the course of the pilot project and there will be six face to face workshops and online sessions in between to maintain connection. The dates and locations are currently in the planning stage but will be announced here when finalised; I anticipate running groups: May to July (Lichfield), Sept to Nov (Tamworth) and Jan to March 27 (Rugeley) and would expect to host around five families each time.
This is a pilot project, so families who join will help co‑create the resources we develop as a group, including a wellbeing prompt box for use at home and an exhibition at the end of the project to highlight and share our experiences to support a wider network of families.
Everything is free. No art experience needed.
If you would like to register your interest or find out more, please complete this online form:
Expression of Interest FAQ’s:
This funded project is designed to support neuro-diverse families, including those where children are autistic, have ADHD, or experience related needs. Your child does not need to have a formal diagnosis — many families are still on waiting lists, and that is absolutely fine. The age range is 10-16 years old.
To take part, your child will currently not be attending mainstream school. This may be for a range of reasons, including personal choice, wellbeing needs, or circumstances outside your control.
The project brings children and their parent(s) or carer(s) together for creative sessions facilitated by the artist. Because the sessions build on each other, attending all face‑to‑face dates is preferred so that families can get the most from the experience.
By completing this form, you are simply expressing an interest in the project. Once venues and dates are confirmed, you will be contacted with full details so you can decide whether to sign up and take part.
Data Protection (UK GDPR)
The information you provide will be used only to contact you about classes and opportunities offered by Karen Wicks Artist. Your details are stored securely, never shared with third parties, and can be withdrawn or deleted at any time by contacting me.