This workshop came at the perfect time. I am now in a position where I have a brand and concept. However, I need to start generating some clear outcomes that will help develop a sound business plan.
I understand my problem and what my brand is attempting to achieve, now I need to find outcomes that will allow me to achieve them. So for this workshop I needed to ask a question. I asked:
“I have developed BRIGHT – Creative Space, a community platform that aims to use creativity as a tool to aid mental well-being for those suffering from fatigue caused by IBD and other chronic conditions. But what outcomes will allow me to achieve this using my three pillars, creativity, positivity, activity? Whether that’s a product, workshop, subscription, etc?”
Joining this workshop I believed we would be giving out question to someone else to ideate. However, we were to find solutions to our own problems. After sharing our questions, we were then given 8minutes to generate 8 solutions.
This was initially very hard as if I knew the answer I would be doing it already! However, it forced me to come up with new ideas that I hadn’t thought of before.
After this time we were to share the most successful solution. For me, this was Zoom (or any video conferencing application) sessions where you could participate in creative activities from the comfort of your home.
Then, we were given another 8minutes to generate another 8 ideas that explain how this one solution could be developed. I explored some ideas that I had already thought of and other that were new. Some worked and some didn’t.
- The zoom chat could be run/joined by special guests: creatives of a specific field that could come in and teach their skills. They don’t need to be well known, they might just be talented at what they do and want to help take part.
- Creating discussions prior to these sessions to find out what creative activities people would be interested in taking part in or learning more about.
- Posting outcomes from the participants from the session to give them a sense of achievement and feeling of community. Showing them they are part of something.
- These session could be archived some way to allow people to take part in activities of their choosing when they feel up to it. Some people may fine a planned time unrealistic to achieve due to their illness as it’s too much pressure to show up if they aren’t feeling well enough too. This way they can get involved when they are ready.
- Q&A – getting involve during the session via live chat during and a after with a commenting/forum section allowing people to discuss.
- Creating quick fire activity sessions that are easy to achieve and allow a sense of achievement and creativity, especially for those who do not believe they are creative.
- Healthcare professionals could be involved as quests during this time to allows a patient voice and community question time. Focusing on mental health and their professional advice on creativity, chronic illness and isolation.
- Knitting circle – creative conversation sessions – these could be sessions that are not recorded and are more of a chance for people to make friends, speak their mind, and get creative while they do it. The idea of a knitting circle gives people to come together and discuss a topic of common interest, in this case it would be our mental well-being.
