Printmaking for Health

10‑Week Printmaking for Health

A gentle, supportive printmaking course for people living with chronic health conditions.

This 10‑week course is designed for people with long‑term health conditions such as ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, chronic pain, and fluctuating energy levels.

It offers a calm, creative space to explore printmaking at your own pace, with flexibility, care, and rest built in.

You don’t need any previous art or printmaking experience. This course is about curiosity, process, and finding what feels possible for you.

What the course offers

Over ten weeks, we’ll explore a range of accessible printmaking techniques, adapting each session to meet different energy levels and physical needs. Sessions are structured but flexible, with options to participate seated, to take breaks, or to simply observe on lower‑energy days.

You’ll be supported to:

Learn the basics of printmaking in a relaxed, non‑pressured way
Experiment with materials and techniques safely and gently
Build confidence in your creative voice
Develop a small body of work over time
Connect with others who understand the realities of living with chronic illness

The focus is on process rather than productivity — there is no expectation to “keep up” or produce a certain amount of work.

Techniques we may explore

Techniques vary depending on the group and access needs, but may include:

Lino and soft‑cut relief printing
Screenprinting on fabric and paper
Kitchen Lithography
Drypoint
Etching

All techniques are adapted to reduce strain and fatigue, with tools, pacing, and outcomes adjusted as needed.

A health‑aware approach

Hope Press courses are shaped around lived experience of chronic illness. This means:

Gentle pacing with built‑in rest
Non-toxic working practises and materials
Clear communication and predictable structure
A calm, non‑judgemental environment

You are welcome exactly as you are, whether you’re having a good day, a bad day, or something in between.

Who this course is for

This course is for adults living with long‑term or fluctuating health conditions who want to explore creativity in a supportive setting. It may be especially suited to people who:

Feel excluded from traditional art courses due to access needs
Want to return to creativity after illness or burnout
Are looking for community as well as skill‑building

No diagnosis or proof of illness is required — self‑identification is enough.

Practical details

Length: 10 weeks
Session length: 2 hours
Location: Hope Press
Materials: All core materials provided
Group size: Up to 4
Price: £360 - with a hardship fund available
The course starts three times a year in-line with school terms (Jan, April, Sep)

If you have specific access needs or questions, you’re very welcome to get in touch before booking. If you're ready to go ahead fill the form in below to express your interest.

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