Behind the scenes of the Well-being and creativity workshop

Every Wednesday afternoon, the Well-being and creativity workshop takes place at AQPA with the contribution of Center for Educational and Pedagogical Resources (CREP). His particuliarity? It offers a field of expression other than speech. “Art is very visual, it does not need words and is a universal language. Members can therefore experiment with new forms of expression,” explains Noémie Sauvageau, social integration teacher and activity facilitator.

Each workshop begins with musical exercises to promote a state of relaxation conducive to artistic expression. Two activities to choose from are then offered, such as drawing and clay sculpture. For Noémie Sauvageau, the objective is to “respond to the affinities of each member while respecting their rhythm.” New immersive approaches are also offered during the session. During our visit, members were, for example, invited to close their eyes at the start of the activity to better feel their movements.

A workshop that allows you to practice motor skills

While aphasia affects speech, it also impacts motor skills. The Well-being and Creativity workshop thus intervenes in this aspect while complementing our activities focused on verbal communication. Since leading this workshop, Noémie Sauvageau has seen significant progress among our members: “Each technique, from sculpture to coloring, will allow us to practice motor skills in a different way. Through these different exercises, I observe a lot of progress in terms of fine motor skills in the limbs. This progress can, for example, be made through coloring exercises in several areas.”

A workshop made up of regulars…

The workshop has several long-time regulars, including Jean-Claude, a member of AQPA for around ten years. His left hand has lost some of its motor skills since his stroke. However, he does complex coloring: “I like working on details. “It gives me the opportunity to practice motor skills in my hand that I don’t use often, and to do activities that I haven’t had the opportunity to do since my accident,” he comments. Before concluding: “This workshop also allows me to make new friends.” Among them, Cong stands opposite Jean-Claude. He has been a member of AQPA for around fifteen years.

…Always happy to welcome new members

Between two adjustments to his sculpture, Cong stares at his hand – it is the symbol of peace and love. Intrigued, we invite him to comment on his work. “I make a clay hand that represents the peace and love symbol. I like to do new experiments using art,” he enlightens us in his soft and calm voice. This clarification made, he returns to his experience at AQPA: “Here, the teachers and staff understand us and are patient. This is not always the case outside. Cong finally sends a final message to people with aphasia who are hesitant to go to AQPA: “Come and get out of the house, it’s very important. Here, we create friendships and works of art.”