"Hi Marylyn,

I am writing to specially thank you for your huge contribution to the event.

I saw how Freeplay works, it really made a difference to Broadstone on Saturday afternoon and you managed that marvellously.

Please pass on my appreciation to all Freeplayers." 

Simon Merry (Broadstone Chamber of Trade)

“Dear all

I just wanted to say, on behalf of the Steering Group, a big “THANK YOU”! to everyone for participating in the event at Lighthouse Poole on Saturday. Your contribution to the enjoyment and success of the event is very much appreciated!

We were delighted to see the wealth of activities which are improving people’s wellbeing across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole, represented at the event.

We estimated that about 500 people attended and hope that you found it worthwhile.

With thanks

Kind Regards

Hilary “

On behalf of Dorset, Bournemouth & Poole Councils; NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group; Healthwatch Dorset; Dorset and Bournemouth & Poole Health and Wellbeing Boards

Hilary Evans

Community Strategy Manager

Web Site: www.poolepartnership.info     www.boroughofpoole.com

"The Well-Being Show June 8th 2013" 

“The Freeplay experience provides proactive tips and techniques that are easily learned and, with practice, become embedded into your daily professional and personal life. The creative approach naturally promotes positive behaviours and experiences, which impacts on the ability to always deliver to the best of your ability, even when faced with difficult challenges.” Lisa Pullman, Barclays

“My experience of being a co-facilitator when invited by Marylyn Cropley, Founder and Director of Freeplay to work with her on running Freeplay Creative CBT walk-shops has been very inspiring. Marylyn has developed an innovative concept of creative CBT promoting the coping strategies of individuals as well as peer support. Despite years of running mental health groups, this is the first opportunity I've had to incorporate arts based activities with CBT. I've found this a unique experience which has stimulated my own creativity as well as that of participants. Incorporating Mindfulness and walking has also been enriching.

I have been privileged to be involved in some of the design and planning of the walk-shops with Marylyn. This has involved selecting appropriate theories and background information to be presented alongside the group session activities. Each walk-shop has a clear written plan for facilitators to follow as well as facilitators' notes. The groups have been run in excellent venues with a range of participants as well as specific sessions for employees/managers and carers. Seeing participants engage so well and learn new coping methods has been most rewarding.”

Angie Saunders

Co-facilitator- Freeplay Creative CBT Walk-shops

Counsellor (Dip Couns.) and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PG.Cert IAPT).

Tel: 07521 147274

talkwithangie@gmail.com

“Hi Marylyn

Thank you for your help with this and various projects over the past couple of years.  It’s been great having someone with your energy involved in the arts.

Caroline.” (ArtsDevelopmentUnit Poole)

FREEPLAY CHILL evenings:

“Freeplay is a fantastic place where you can freely express a wide range of creative talents you may have at your disposal.  It has an ambiance of creative spontaneity that greets you as soon as you arrive at the venue and we have over the years become a highly focused group, with both regular faces and new ones being added all the time.  For me it’s been an opportunity to meet people who have encouraged me to explore and develop my talents and it provides an atmosphere in which you can get to know people with similar interests, or even challenging or diverse ones.  I had had a break from singing and to some extent my poetry also until I stumbled upon Freeplay, yet now I feel I am gaining more confidence every session I participate in.  I feel sufficiently challenged to explore new avenues with my singing/song-writing, and express myself in new ways that I wouldn't have perhaps considered previously.  For instance I now feel motivated enough to take up guitar, something that would have been totally daunting to me until recently.At Freeplay there is no pressure to perform as it doesn't set out to be as formal even as a conventional 'open mic' evening and everyone gets on with everyone else, ego's aside.  There is a positive theme of friendliness and creative adventure that brings out the best in everyone present, we explore every genre of music and always feel free to experiment and talent at every level is accepted.   Even if your particular talent is art or say photography, you are welcomed on board. Basically it’s a great place to just chill out and develop your own...themes! “ Fiona