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Leeds- 2026
Parents and teenagers strengthen relationships through art, mindfulness and meaningful conversations
Parents and teenagers came together for a unique day of creativity, mindfulness and family connection at the Afrikindness Parent & Teens Creative Art & Mindfulness Workshop, delivered in partnership with Lazy Cover Art Studio.
Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the workshop was designed to create a calm and welcoming environment where families could step away from the pressures of everyday life, slow down, and reconnect with one another through shared creative experiences.
Led by the talented artists and mindfulness coaches from Lazy Cover Art Studio, the session introduced families to Chinese calligraphy, painting, and creative expression, demonstrating how art can be a powerful tool for promoting mindfulness, emotional wellbeing and stronger family relationships.
Throughout the workshop, parents and teenagers worked side by side, exploring traditional Chinese calligraphy techniques before creating their own paintings and personalised key holders. The activities encouraged conversation, teamwork and creativity, allowing families to spend uninterrupted quality time together while learning new skills.
One of the most memorable moments of the day was watching parents and teenagers slow down, put aside distractions and simply enjoy being present with one another. Through each brushstroke and shared conversation, families experienced the value of mindfulness—not as something complicated, but as intentionally taking time to connect, create and appreciate the present moment.
Why Mindfulness Matters
In today’s fast-paced world, families often find themselves balancing work, school, technology and countless daily responsibilities. Finding intentional time to pause and connect has become increasingly important.
Mindfulness helps children and adults become more aware of their thoughts, emotions and surroundings, enabling them to respond rather than simply react. When practised together as a family, mindfulness can improve communication, reduce stress, strengthen emotional regulation and create deeper relationships built on trust and understanding.
Creative activities such as painting and calligraphy naturally encourage mindfulness. They invite participants to focus their attention, express emotions creatively and enjoy the process without pressure or judgement. For many families, the workshop became more than an art session—it became an opportunity to reconnect.
Building Stronger Parent-Teen Relationships
The workshop reinforced Afrikindness’s belief that strong parent-child relationships are built through shared experiences as much as conversations.
By creating together, parents and teenagers discovered new ways to communicate, encourage one another and celebrate each other’s creativity. The relaxed environment allowed families to laugh, reflect and simply enjoy each other’s company, creating memories that will last long after the workshop ended.
Speaking after the event, Bunmi Owolabi, Founder and CEO of Afrikindness, said:
“In the busyness of life, families rarely have the opportunity to slow down and simply be present with one another. Today reminded us that creativity can be a powerful bridge between parents and teenagers. Seeing families painting together, encouraging one another and enjoying uninterrupted time was incredibly special. These are the moments that strengthen relationships and build lasting memories.”
Looking Ahead
Following the positive response from families, Afrikindness plans to deliver more creative mindfulness workshops as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening family wellbeing, promoting positive mental health and creating opportunities for parents and young people to connect in meaningful ways.
Afrikindness extends its sincere thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting this initiative and to the team at Lazy Cover Art Studio for delivering an engaging, inspiring and memorable workshop.
Through partnerships like these, Afrikindness continues to empower families with practical tools that support emotional wellbeing, resilience and stronger relationships—one creative experience at a time.
