During 16 Days of Action, participants in our Breathe Group Programme came together for a creative workshop centred on empowerment, visibility and personal expression. The session, Art for Action, offered a calm, supportive space where survivors could explore their strengths, share messages of hope and connect with others on a similar journey.
The workshop was built around simple but powerful creative activities. Each person was invited to decorate stones with colours, symbols or words that represented resilience. Canvas squares were used as small personal art pieces, later forming part of a larger collective display. Participants also created messages of solidarity, offering encouragement for others who may be taking their first steps towards safety and support.
The focus of the session was not artistic skill. Instead, it was about having the freedom to express something meaningful, without judgment or expectation. Creative sessions like this can help reduce pressure, increase confidence and remind people that their voice matters.
Group work is a key part of the GDASS support, supporting survivors in rebuilding confidence, restoring agency and reconnecting with their own identities. Art for Action fits within this approach by creating opportunities for reflection, connection and gentle self-expression in a safe environment.
Below are some of the works created during the session in future awareness activities. These pieces reflect courage, individuality and the power of community support. They also highlight what can happen when people are given space to be seen, heard and valued.
