A creative thinking direction.

Well guys, It’s been a long minute.

I know that the loyal ones of you would appreciate a heads-up on what has been happening, as my communication has been limited for the last year while I was figuring out my next steps.

The last few years have seen me work through what it means to be me professionally since my life-changing leap and breakthrough a few years ago.

The Donna Preece Academy is now The DPA, a community of creative thinkers and doers, all unified by greater wellness and contentment in life.

In the last 18 months, I have, through the power of The DPA, have:

• I ran approximately 20 well-being events, such as Connect and Create, hosted in lovely local venues, and partnered with great like-minded businesses, with fantastic impact results.

• I won a bid to facilitate and produce artwork with Artspace, the Life Path Trust, the Community Rail Partnership, and Avanti.

• Branched into living environment well-being projects

• Been featured in the Saturday Telegraph well-being supplement

• Began working in care homes, supporting residents with creative well-being sessions

All of this seems great; all the communications and social media I posted looked good. But as a small business owner, this was what was happening:

• Marketing and recruiting for the events required a tremendous amount of work. I barely broke even and struggled to balance the efforts of promotional demand.

• People's perspectives around creativity, especially as a well-being resource to priorities, aren’t quite there yet.

  From the focus group research I conducted in partnership with Coventry University and their Citizen Social Scientist project in the Autumn of 2024, it’s clear there’s still a way to go around education and awareness. I will share the findings of this research with everyone shortly.

These two main areas of realisation have led me to admit that, from a business perspective, my previous approaches weren’t working for me. People aren’t quite ready yet. And with the economy, as it is at the moment, people can’t prioritise well-being in this way, especially without support, space, guidance, and education for it.

However, I am used to returning to the drawing board and, from the dawn of a new year, can see the world from a new approach.

So now I am leaning into my experience and talents as a creative and facilitator. I’m steering The DPA towards Creative Thinking development, with well-being enabling people to learn transferable leadership skills, such as;

• emotional intelligence

• communication skills

• strategy

• problem-solving

• confidence building

• team building

We use processes like Design Thinking and Lego Serious Play to develop a deep understanding and games to create a fun learning space and a deeper connection to build skills that strengthen leadership abilities. All the creativity and fun of The DPA, with all the practicality of application in the wider world.

I have a couple of clients lined up, and I am excited to share those opportunities in the future. In the meantime, In the meantime:

• The last few years have enabled me to be accepted into an MSc in Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at Warwick University course. I plan to continue my Neuroscience and Creativity research and develop my knowledge there.

• My partnership with CJD and Golden Years Health Coaching has become a more profound opportunity to offer Creative Well-being resources to ageing and broader communities through funding from UnLtd.

Coming up soon in 2025:

• Creative Thinking Masterclasses opportunities such as Design Thinking

• Happiness Walks will be offered in partnership with Golden Years Health Coaching

• Wellness Coaching support opportunities through Golden Years Health Coaching

As always, I hope you are well and staying balanced ♡