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In this episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I had the pleasure of speaking with Debbie Crouch, a creative community expert, artist, author, and creative recovery coach. Debbie founded Art for Wellness, an inspiring initiative that helps individuals use creativity as a tool for healing, especially those navigating health conditions and past trauma. 

 

A Journey Back to Creativity 

 

 

Debbie’s story is one of resilience and rediscovery. As a child, she loved art, constantly drawing and colouring, but a disheartening comment from an art teacher shattered her confidence. For years, she set aside her passion, believing she lacked artistic talent. Coupled with being bullied at school, she often felt like an outsider. Despite this, she had an inner belief that she was meant for more. 

Life took her on a different path—working in corporate roles, including the NHS, and focusing on wellbeing. However, a mental breakdown became a turning point. Through recovery, she reconnected with her creativity, initially through simple colouring books, and later through an art class that reignited her passion. That single decision—to return to art—changed her life in ways she never expected. 

 

The Birth of Art for Wellness 

 

Inspired by her personal transformation, Debbie founded Art for Wellness, a community-driven initiative that encourages people to use creativity as a therapeutic tool. During the lockdown, she created an online space where people could share art, receive encouragement, and express themselves freely. The response was incredible, growing to over 10,000 members in just six months. 

She then transitioned to working directly with communities, running workshops for individuals of all ages, from children to older adults. Whether in care homes or local art sessions, her mission remains the same: to show that everyone is creative and that art can be a powerful tool for self-expression and emotional healing. 

 

How Art Can Support Healing 

 

For those living with chronic illness or processing trauma, art can serve as a safe outlet for emotions. Debbie shared how different materials—ribbons, fabrics, buttons—can trigger memories and spark conversations. In one instance, an elderly participant picked up a button and was flooded with memories, leading to a heartfelt discussion about his past. 

Her approach to art therapy is not about technique or perfection—it’s about exploration and self-expression. Whether through simple exercises like associating emotions with weather patterns or grounding techniques using natural elements, Debbie’s sessions encourage people to connect with their feelings in a non-verbal, creative way. 

 

Breaking the ‘I’m Not Artistic’ Myth 

 

Many people believe they aren’t creative, often because of past experiences that discouraged them. Debbie’s message is clear: everyone has a unique creative style. Her workshops focus on making creativity accessible and fun, helping individuals discover their artistic voice without pressure or judgment. 

One participant, an older man, initially insisted he wasn’t creative. Yet after engaging with materials and sharing his work, he admitted he enjoyed it and asked when the next session would be. Moments like these reaffirm Debbie’s belief that creativity is innate—it just needs to be unlocked. 

 

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Art for Wellness 

 

 

Debbie envisions expanding Art for Wellness into a physical space that includes a workshop area, gallery, and community hub. She continues to build her online presence and has co-authored Beyond the Ordinary, a book highlighting the experiences of neurodivergent women overcoming challenges to create meaningful lives. 

For those interested in exploring creative wellness, Debbie offers various membership options through her website, Creative Wellness Journey, which will soon transition to Art for Wellness. 

 

Final Thoughts 

 

Debbie’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity in healing. Whether you're managing a health condition, dealing with past trauma, or simply looking for a way to express yourself, art can be a transformative tool. 

If you’ve ever hesitated to pick up a paintbrush, Debbie’s advice is simple: just start. Let go of expectations, find joy in the process, and remember—creativity is for everyone. 

  

RESOURCES 

• Learn more about Debbie’s work: Creative Wellness Journey (soon transitioning to Art for Wellness) 
• Join Debbie’s Facebook Group: Art for Wellness with Debbie Crouch 
• Check out Debbie’s book: Beyond the Ordinary on Amazon 

 

About the Guest

Debbie Crouch is an artist, creative recovery coach, and founder of Art for Wellness, a community-driven initiative that helps individuals use art as a therapeutic tool. After a personal journey of overcoming self-doubt and reconnecting with her creative side, she now runs workshops, online communities, and programs to make art accessible to everyone—regardless of skill level. 

 

Transcript Episode 59 Art for Wellness with Debbie Crouch 

 

 [00:00:00] Hey there, Teisha here and welcome to episode 59 of Wellbeing Interrupted. Hopefully you've had a good week. I had a good week this week. I had an appointment with my oncologist Every three months I catch up with my oncologist This time. I, there was no scan, so it was to have my, make sure my bloods were all good, which they were perfect, as she said, which is amazing.

And you have also a physical examination and everything felt perfect. Um, so that's exciting. It also means that. I was having scans every six months, so PET scans to see whether there's any activity cancer wise, and now seeing those good results again, I can push that out to nine months, which is good, I was thinking, you know, [00:01:00] within myself, I knew I was feeling so good.

, but it's always good to get that confirmed by your specialist.

Another reason for having a good week was that I got to have another interview with an incredible guest. This time it was with Debbie Crouch. Debbie is a creative community expert, an artist, an author, and a creative recovery coach,

and she's founded Art for Wellness, so she can share her creativity and her own journey to recovery. So I won't give anything else away, but I hope you enjoy this chat. It's all about how creativity can help in living with our illnesses, but also with past trauma.  [00:02:00]

Teisha Rose: So welcome Debbie. Thank you so much for joining us on Wellbeing Interrupted.

Debbie Crouch: Oh, it's a pleasure. Thank you for inviting me.

Teisha Rose: You're welcome. And for our listeners, I always say this, your accent is different to my Australian accent.

So where are we connecting to you from? Yeah, my

Debbie Crouch: accent, I'm from the UK and I'm based in Yorkshire. [00:03:00] Um, in South Yorkshire near Pennyston in a lovely little countryside village.

Teisha Rose: Beautiful. And in Australia, we, we love all the English villages. We were just talking before and so many Australians go, especially in their twenties, work over in the UK and are very familiar, um, with the beautiful countryside.

So, yeah, um, Loving that I get to connect with people from all around the world, especially from Yorkshire. Um, so if you can tell us just a little bit about yourself, um, we've connected because I think I was drawn to your energy and what you're doing in terms of art for wellness, which is why I wanted you on here because I always consider myself as not artistic.

Um, so it's really beautiful to chat to people who are different to you and to see how that will help others living with health conditions. So I read that once, once upon a time, an art [00:04:00] teacher told you that you will never, you'd never be good at art. So, We can sometimes go back and pinpoint moments in time in our childhood.

So how did those words from that teacher impact you?

Debbie Crouch: It had a huge impact on it. Because as a child, you look up to adults. You think that they know about the world, they know about you, whatever they say is right. So it really made me doubt my own talents and my own abilities to do art, which was something I'd loved from being a small child, right up until secondary school.

And for this person to say that I'd never be any good at art, it just crashed my world. Um, I just didn't feel that I was able to express myself and continue doing the things that I love to do.

Teisha Rose: Yeah, that's [00:05:00] devastating, isn't it? And I think, yeah, it's so, words are so powerful, aren't they? And especially when you're younger.

So if you, so when you were, before those words were spoken to you, were you, like growing up, were you really artistic? You said, did you just draw lots or paint lots or tell us a bit about that?

Debbie Crouch: Yeah, I was one of these children that always had, um, felt tip pens and a colouring book or a pad to colour pictures.

Yeah. And, You know, I can remember being younger and writing stories and colouring pictures in, and I know my junior teacher had said to me, Oh, you're really good at this. I can see that you really enjoy doing it. So to go from that, which, which had given me an uplift and confidence, to suddenly being told I wasn't, as I was approaching adulthood, it made me, [00:06:00] yeah, just change.

My sense of worth, my sense of being and just doubt, doubt myself in so many ways. It didn't help as well because at school I was also the quiet child. I was the one that was bullied, the one that was the easy target and I always felt I was different to everybody else. Um, inside I had this feeling that I knew that I was going to change my life, because I came from a poor background.

Um, we didn't have much money growing up. But I knew that if I worked, if I worked hard, I had something inside me. I didn't know what that was going to be, but I just knew that I could change my life for the better. And, and that, little heart, this little feeling in my heart was something that, that kept me going through those bad times of being bullied.

Yeah. To think that, yeah, I was different, but that was all right. [00:07:00]

Teisha Rose: Yeah, which is, and I guess for lots of people listening who have illnesses make us different a lot of the time. And I always think too, those kids that are bullied are often the ones that will have a real impact. on the world because they are different.

Um, and you want to tell kids that, don't you? Like, it's like if you've been bullied, you know, that they sense something that they don't have and they're jealous.

Debbie Crouch: And it's like you learn to be empathetic. You learn so much more about yourself from the experiences that you go through. And yes, you're right.

You want to be able to share that with other people to say to other children to say that if you are being bullied, don't. Let all those people that are around you change your life or shape your life. They're really not worth it. And a lot of the time, the reasons why they're bullying is because they lack their own self confidence.

So they use [00:08:00] that. As a bullying technique, to get it out, to hurt other people, because they don't know how to deal with their own feelings. And, and as an adult, you can look back and, and almost feel sorry for these people. And that is a great thing to be able to do, because at the time, I know that it's quite, you, you just feel that you can't, um, Do anything or you don't feel safe or you feel that you're just a target all the time, but to realize that there is life after being in that situation.

Teisha Rose: Yeah, and during that situation, if you're Creativity was an outlet. Did you feel like then that wasn't there? You know, the teacher knocked your confidence out of you in relation to exploring that. Yeah. Did that then mean that you couldn't escape into that world?

Debbie Crouch: Yes, it did.

Teisha Rose: Yeah,

Debbie Crouch: which was, it was sad really because I'd [00:09:00] always used it as my happy place.

Teisha Rose: Yeah.

Debbie Crouch: Um, and it was only later in life when I went through my own mental wellness journey, after I'd had a breakdown, um, one of the first things I started to do was just colouring in adult colouring books and that, Just brought me joy because it made me realize, yes, I can do this. Because although when I had my daughter, I almost put my creativity into her because I could see that she had this passion for being creative.

So we used to do things together, but it was more of a direction of helping her and supporting her in what she wanted to do. So, As an adult, to be able to then suddenly do that as myself, I begin to find that I'd found what I really wanted to do. And I [00:10:00] actually joined a local college and it was for adults how to learn to draw and to paint to support their well being.

I remember the first time I went feeling really nervous. Frightened about going into a room full of strange people, but the tutor made us feel so relaxed and he was really good how he went out round the room and talked to people and I soon got into realising that you were in a safe space. that you could explore drawing lines and learning new things.

And I absolutely loved it. I just felt that I'd found my escapism at last. I'd found someone that was there to help me, to show me how to do things. And I was also lucky in the aspect that I met my then, my now best friend and number one supporter in the business, [00:11:00] um, Heather. And I just think that just one thing that I did totally changed my life beyond anything that I could have anticipated.

Because after we'd been doing the course for, um, a few years and there was one incident where the art teacher had encouraged us both to put a piece of art into our local gallery for a competition. So we did. I put a drawing in and Heather put a picture in, a painting in, and we were both selected to be shown in the gallery.

And that in itself was like winning. Um, and to actually go to the gallery and to see our pictures on the wall, it was just an unbelievable experience and one that we'll never forget. But that's when it started making me think that, I wanted to share this with other people. If it changed our [00:12:00] lives and impacted us in such a way, and we could share that with other people, then it's got a ripple effect and it's going to go out into the world and help so many others.

Teisha Rose: Yeah, and I think that's what happens as well when you've had a lived experience of some of the darkest moments and then you see the shift when you find something to take you, you know, out of the depths and then to keep moving forward. And you can see your, um, face is, you know, smiling and lit up, um, through the energy that that creates in you.

And so could Do you feel that like when you were in the depths that this was a way of getting out of that breakdown?

Debbie Crouch: Absolutely, because before then I'd worked in the corporate world. I'd worked for the NHS, which is the healthcare system in the UK, in various different roles [00:13:00] around wellbeing. But the role that I was in, I just felt that It was too tick boxy.

It was too corporate. I didn't enjoy it anymore. I didn't feel that I fit into that anymore. But when I discovered being able to draw and paint, it did light me up. Um, I suddenly realised that my confidence was coming back. I found something that I'm really passionate about wanting to do. Um, and We set up originally a Facebook group and it was in lockdown and it was a space where we had positive messages because it was difficult going out and about.

If I did go out, because I was lucky enough to live in the countryside, I'd take photographs and share them. We'd talk about artwork and encourage people to share their art. And, It was absolutely wonderful, because it was a safe space, it was a private group, so you had to be a member to come in [00:14:00] there. And everyone was so supportive of each other, and It grew to over 10, 000 people in less than six months and this was like, oh my word, there is something magical within this.

Teisha Rose: Wow, that's amazing.

Debbie Crouch: So on the, on the original group in lockdown, I can understand that it did grow so big because there were so many people looking for their own space, looking for something to do, looking for connection, looking for a community. Um, but it gave me the idea. to set up Art4Wellness, but I wanted to set it up as a community interest company so that I was giving something back as well.

So in the first year I was lucky enough to get lottery funding and with the lottery funding I set up what we call the Free Resource Centre. And in there, there's various [00:15:00] different tutorials, galleries, lots of information in there to get people started on easy tasks that they can do in their own time.

Learning how to express your feelings onto paper, and that is really important. You might not be able to do in words and I shared a lot of my lived experiences and things like that and that was, that was really good for setting it up. Um, and then after lockdown was lifted, um, I've moved into working in the community and doing one to one classes because I like working one to one with people as well.

So I've worked with all sorts of ages from children to older people services within care homes to mums who might be, um, they may have children that have grown up and left, left home and, or they might be looking for a hobby or, or something like that. So I, [00:16:00] you know, and I just absolutely love working with different people, um, and, and seeing the joy that they get from being able to experience Just do a simple art.

Teisha Rose: And it's amazing. So, um, a couple of things you mentioned that you were able to share your story at the beginning. I guess that's really to connect to people. So what type of things in that story were you sharing with people?

Debbie Crouch: I was, I was sharing things that I'd been through in life. Um, but in such a way to say that if you, if you chose a hobby or, um, it didn't always have to be painting or drawing, there's lots of things out there.

I talk about self care and the importance of self care and whether it was sat in the garden looking at what's around you, whether it's looking up at the sky and watching the blowing in the wind, [00:17:00] whether, you know. And whether it's listening to music or reading a book, having a chat with a friend, but doing something for yourself and the value behind that.

That self care isn't selfish, it's necessary.

Teisha Rose: Yeah.

Debbie Crouch: And learn, learning to put yourself first and not feel guilty about that. And how you don't have to be a people pleaser all your life. You can actually look at making yourself happy. Because I've spent a lot of my life where I did try and put other people first and I felt it was more important to make sure that they were happy.

But I think that can only lead to problems in, in the sense that you lose yourself. You don't know who you are anymore. You don't know what you want to do in life anymore. And it's Yeah, self care can be so important on so many different levels. [00:18:00]

Teisha Rose: Yeah, that's so true. And I think we do, we feel guilty, but it's so necessary.

And if you're not well, then it's more necessary than ever. You know, you're not well sometimes for a reason because you're not looking after yourself.

Debbie Crouch: And that's one thing that I learned when I went. Um, on the Wellbeing Recovery Action Plan, I went on a course and this taught you all about self care techniques and the things, the triggers, recognizing the triggers that may make you feel anxious, may make you feel scared or various different emotions and feelings and then looking at the things that you would turn to do to help calm yourself down.

Um, And through doing the course, I then went on to, again it was in lockdown, they couldn't do the face to [00:19:00] face course, so they were looking for volunteers to do it online. So I did the training and we actually did the courses. online, which was an amazing experience. I absolutely loved being able to do that.

Teisha Rose: And was that, sorry, courses that you were being taught or that you were providing?

Debbie Crouch: Well, it was a wellness recovery action plan through an NHS organisation. Oh, I can,

Teisha Rose: yeah.

Debbie Crouch: But they were asking for people that had been through the course prior to lockdown, if they would like to be a volunteer.

Teisha Rose: To come

Debbie Crouch: in and, um, help deliver the sessions.

So there'd be about five or six of us, all do it together at different times and bring in different elements, share our stories and our experiences. And. Yeah, that was really powerful. It was a wonderful experience.

Teisha Rose: Yeah. And how different this is what, you know, when things happen [00:20:00] in our lives, you think, wow, how our lives have been changed.

And so many people have spoken to start off. I started in corporate and then you do all these different things and it's incredible where your path takes you. And I think that's, you know, for everyone listening. That's such a positive aspect of having your life change and then being excited about what's ahead.

Debbie Crouch: And going back to the, the beginning, when I first started, if somebody had said to me, you're going to do an interview and have a chat with somebody and talk about what you do, I'd have gone, Oh, I can't do that. You know, all the time, as you meet people and you get talking and you're building up your self confidence and it becomes.

So much easier to do and I absolutely love it now and when I look back and I can remember the person that was absolutely scared and terrified [00:21:00] was talking, I don't recognise myself and I just think if I can do it then I'm sure that other people can with the right support and encouragement.

Teisha Rose: Yeah, absolutely.

Imagine what you'd say to that art teacher now.

Debbie Crouch: Yes. To be fair, I think as an adult, I've learnt to be more accepting of other people and what, you know, at one time I might have wanted to swear or say something inappropriate, but I wouldn't do that now. I just think that person didn't really understand how to talk to Yeah, I'd forgive.

You've got to learn forgiveness in your life.

Teisha Rose: Absolutely. And sometimes you think you have that experience for a reason. You know, that comment then makes you motivated to explore, uh, even more down the track when you're in a different space. So you're [00:22:00] right. I look at things like that as well. Things happen for a reason.

It's what you do in response to that.

Debbie Crouch: It isn't. And it's almost like you would never have become the person that you are today if you hadn't have experienced the things in the past. Yeah. Because they make who you are now. I do believe in, in life you have choices. You have choices how to react. You have choices how to, who you want to speak to, who you want to be around, um, what you want to do.

And yeah, everybody goes through parts of their life where they might make, in reflection, the wrong choices. But there are choices out there. Where you can change direction and go in and in move to a better place.

Teisha Rose: Yeah,

Debbie Crouch: definitely.

Teisha Rose: Yeah, a hundred percent. And um, we can have similar experiences, but the way, as you said, people [00:23:00] respond to the same experience is so different.

So that's why the outcome is different as well.

 And then in terms of working with people and I've read in terms of people experiencing trauma and the positive impact art can have on that. Has that been your experience as well?

Debbie Crouch: It has, and I think as I've gone through Art for Wellness, I've changed it towards therapeutic art, in the sense that we use lots of different materials, whether it be ribbon, fur fabrics, um, buttons, because People can experience different things from your senses, from your smell, from what they touch, from what they see, so it's very much, um, I thought it's just come to me when I did, like, with all the people services, um, and, [00:24:00] There was someone looking at buttons and they picked a button up, and it sparked a memory, and they started talking about what it had, the memory that had come from picking up the button, or somebody might touch a piece of fur fabric, and that sparked a memory of a toy that they had, and I just think that, yeah, from a therapeutic point of view, it's, it's, It's important to look at how to get people to feel comfortable in having conversations and if it sparks memories and they can start talking about a time when they were happy.

Um, I remember a situation where I had an elderly man that came into my workshop and he said, um, I'm not right sure what I'm doing because I've not got a creative bone in my body. And, um, I gave him some materials and said, you know, just have a go at doing this. And he started doing it and I went to him and said, are you all right?

I said, oh [00:25:00] yes, I'm really enjoying this. And he threw himself in and it was, and then at the end of it, He said to me, I've really enjoyed that. He says, it reminded me of when I was younger and I used to work at so and so and then he started telling me a story of that. Um, and he says, I never thought I'd have enjoyed being creative.

He says, but I have. He says, when are you coming back?

Teisha Rose: That's beautiful. Especially for an older, um, male, you know, as well. That's beautiful. And do you find that the initial, because that would be me, I can imagine going to your workshop and me sitting there saying, I'm not creative, I'm not creative. Um, but I'm sure if I sat down that I would be.

So do you find that with a lot of people that automatically they're like, no, I can't do this?

Debbie Crouch: Yes, I do. I get that reaction quite often. Um, and I try to reassure them to say, look, you're here to find your own unique style. [00:26:00] You're here to have fun, to do something different that you may not have done before.

Um, And I go back to the principle of looking at shape, colour and imagination. And then I might do something a little relaxing like doing a breathing, um, exercise or I'll verbally tell a, a story or something like that just to get people in a relaxed or, or I'll give them a topic. For example, one that we do, I'll say, right, imagine how you feel today, and you are going to say in a picture related to the weather.

So whether it's a sun shining or whether it's a cloud, dark and gray with thunder light. Thunder and rain coming down. It doesn't really matter. You would just [00:27:00] use that time to think, how am I feeling today? How would I express it by the weather?

Teisha Rose: Yeah.

Debbie Crouch: Or something like that. That's just an example.

Teisha Rose: Yeah. No, I love that.

So I'm just thinking, oh, what, what I would say, but I shouldn't say this. I'll tell you, oh, I can edit it out. I was thinking I went to, I'm not meant to eat gluten. And I went to a French patisserie today and I had Big danishes, baguettes and all, so I'd be saying I'm feeling windy today. So my stomach is very bloated, but I love that, that you bring in, and do you do that a lot, bringing in nature?

Um, yeah, and that connects a lot because I, I truly believe that when you're living with health conditions or, you know, dealing with trauma and all that grounding, that connection with nature is so powerful in your healing.

Debbie Crouch: It is. Um, I mean, I love anything to do with [00:28:00] trees, because I think trees is a fabulous example, because from a grounding point of view, you've got the roots that go into the ground, and you've got the branches that go into the sky or whatever, and I tend to use trees quite regularly.

In fact, We'll do childlike things. I can remember as a child with wax crayons and paper, doing bark rubbings. So we might do something like bark rubbings, but keep them because you can always cut it out and use it in a collage or use it in a picture and it becomes something else. And it's just about finding your inner child and doing something really fun that you've not done, either not done before or you've not done for a long time.

Teisha Rose: Yeah, it's beautiful. And it's, um, yeah, and you're right with the trees. They're so powerful. And now we live on a hundred acres and we're surrounded by state forest. So I've never [00:29:00] taken so much notice. of trees and we go around and then I saw one that wasn't looking healthy and I'm like, oh no, and Andrew, Andrew, my partner's like, it's just part of nature, you know, this will happen and they'll go and I felt really sad and I'm like, what's happening to me?

But it's yeah, they are and the strength as well and that root system is there. is, you know, that's what sustains you through crisis. I talk about in my courses because it's how the roots, you know, help you when the stormy weather comes through.

Debbie Crouch: And talking about the tree that you said you'd seen fallen over, I get what you're saying with that.

And I watched something on, on television recently, and it was about an older tree and how it decays but the life it actually still supports and it was on about the insects that go in there and live in there and how it feeds this and, and that really changed my perspective [00:30:00] on being, on seeing a tree that has either been damaged by a storm or whatever to think that it's, it is actually still.

A valuable part in nature. Yeah,

Teisha Rose: and has a purpose. Yeah, no, that's beautiful. You see, I wasn't expecting us to be talking about the trees in my property, but I think that's what's beautiful about connecting with art as well is that you do become more creative and that as well. So I'm assuming like when you're working with people, do you see that transformation that it sort of unlocks this creativity and imagination?

Debbie Crouch: Yes, definitely. Yeah, um, and when people start talking to you about how it makes them feel and how they've enjoyed it or little stories behind what they've made, um, because if people are open to talking, I'll go around the room and I'll say, do you want to talk about your picture and what it means to you and what it's brought out?

So they can share that experience with other [00:31:00] people. Uh, yeah, and that's quite powerful.

Teisha Rose: Yeah. And it'd be very connecting as well. And I'm assuming too, People are feeling vulnerable, you know, when you're sharing artwork. I'd be like, no, I don't want anyone to see it. But if you're creating that beautiful space, then they're going to be wanting to share and support each other, which is beautiful.

I can just see the synergy as to what you're doing. And is that so now you said you had that massive Facebook group and, but you're now doing stuff in person as well as online. Is that right?

Debbie Crouch: Yeah, I mean, sadly, the initial Facebook group was hacked into, and I had to start the group again, but that was fine, you know, um, it's just one of those things that happened, um, you know, to be honest, as my business evolves, I have to think [00:32:00] of what I is needed now, which is like when I went to work in the community to provide, um, workshops within the community.

Um, but I still wanted to have an online presence, which is why I've still got the website and the group. So, because I still have people that want to connect in there. And, yeah. Yeah. So you've got the option of both.

Teisha Rose: Yeah. And do you find you're connecting with people overseas as well? Like, is it just Yes, I do.

Yeah. Beautiful. And that would be interesting. Like, do you find different countries have different approaches to art, and some are more free compared to others, or?

Debbie Crouch: Yes, definitely. And I like looking at art from all around the world because you do get different perspectives. Like, for I know for Australia, there's like the aboriginal style art and I love that.

Um, so you can always learn something new as well, which is [00:33:00] fabulous. In fact, um, It was about two years ago I did do a book and it was called um, Art All Around I think and it was sharing members artwork because I wanted to be able to share what other people have created and how it supported your well being and it was lovely just putting this book together and sharing what other people had done and Because that's what it's about, really.

I just absolutely love seeing what other people can do.

Teisha Rose: Yeah, and I guess that's a bit of a full circle moment because it had such an impact on you when you saw your work in a gallery and then you're helping to put other people to say, wow, my work is now in a book. So I'm assuming people love that.

Debbie Crouch: Yes, they do.

Teisha Rose: Yeah, absolutely. And so tell us about your business. So it's [00:34:00] Art for Wellness, and you said you've got a website under construction, but I still saw it, so you can still get in there, yeah?

Debbie Crouch: I can, yes. I mean, the website is creativewellnessjourney. co. uk. It is going to change over to Art for Wellness very shortly, but it has still got everything in there.

And then there is obviously the Facebook group Art for Wellness with Debbie Crouch and I've also got a book that I was part of where they were, I was a co author and there was 30 neurodiverse ladies all came together to share their story about - how they've experienced life, how they've got through it, how they set up their own business, the, the struggles they had along the way, but how they overcome them.

And it's such a powerful book because [00:35:00] it's there to help and support other people and, and to make people realise that they're not alone. That book came out last October and it went to be a number one Amazon bestseller, which was Amazing. So I'm really grateful to have been part in Beyond the Ordinary because that's, that was a fabulous opportunity as well.

Um, yeah.

Teisha Rose: Yeah, that's amazing. I'll definitely put that in the show notes. So what was the book called again? It was Beyond It's called Beyond the Ordinary by Mandy Nicholson.

Okay, I'll put all of that in, um, and the link to Amazon. Um, so they can, we can get that. That's amazing. And this is what we want.

You know, stories that give people confidence that when things happen and when traumas experience that you can still move forward and have hope. All of these [00:36:00] amazing experiences. And I've loved connecting in with you because certainly art is not an area that I have any expertise in, but it's so amazing connecting with people who explore these different ways towards wellness.

And I think that's what we need to do is have Have an open mind and explore different ways to live well. So I love that you're doing that. And so if someone's listening, they can connect into your Facebook groups and are there sort of membership plans and all you've got? Is that right?

Debbie Crouch: There is, yes, um, they're actually on the website but they are going to be slightly changing when the new ones launch but there's definitely different levels there from the free membership up to the the paid membership so there's something there for everyone.

Teisha Rose: Perfect. And what we'll do is I can always update the episodes because people [00:37:00] listen to the episodes in six months time or whenever it is. So we can definitely update your details then because I think people will be listening and thinking, especially online, like it's like, it's not as scary to explore that part of you.

And as we said at the beginning, you know, people Prioritizing your wellbeing. It's not selfish. You know, self care is so important. Um, and I think artwork is a beautiful avenue to implement that in your life.

Debbie Crouch: Thank you.

Teisha Rose: Yeah. So thank you, Debbie. I've really enjoyed this chat and we'll see you next time.

What we'll do is, as I said, I'll put all the links there and I really, uh, it's a shame. I was telling you just before we started that I'm not doing YouTube because I don't want to put pressure probably on myself to look okay. And especially in a caravan or I'm in a hotel room at the moment, but I just wish, you know, I'll put some, um, Photos on to Instagram and all, because [00:38:00] as I said, you just radiate, um, this absolute beautiful energy.

And I just think that art has unlocked that for you. And I think that's a testament to whoever comes into your world, , and it can't but help in their wellness journey. So thank you so much for your time. I've loved getting to know you.

Debbie Crouch: Oh, thank you. I've loved getting to know you too.

It's been a joy.  

Teisha Rose: So thank you for listening. Hopefully you really enjoyed the chat and Debbie's energy came through because as I mentioned during the conversation, . Debbie's energy was just so beautiful. And I hope it's also got you thinking about exploring art a bit more. I certainly don't naturally gravitate to doing art because I'm a bit self-conscious about it, but it definitely got me thinking about being more creative and having that [00:39:00] as an outlet.

Also, apologies if you can hear a buzzing noise. There's about five bees above me in the skylight. Um, so they can't get into the caravan, but they're buzzing around and I don't wanna kill them because bees are so important for our environment. Um, so yeah, apart from all of that, I'll put all the details of Debbie in the show notes.

You can also just Google Debbie Crouch. I did that and you can get all of the links that way as well. And apologies,

andrew's just decided to put the tractor on just. Right next to the caravan, but that's all right. They're working hard, so I'm not gonna stop them.

So join us again next week. Because I am having my first guest returning in Louise Butcher, the topless marathon runner. Louise was one of the first interviews I did last [00:40:00] year, so that's a bit of homework. Listen to episode 20 if you haven't. That was when I chatted to Louise about her first experience of the London Marathon and running that topless.

So listen to that and then you'll be up to date for the second installment. And this is probably why I had an a good week as well because this second chat with Louise, we recorded for an hour. I think we spoke for another hour as well. Um, there's a such a connection there, not just because we are both flat chested and been through so much, but also the alignment we have on the power of our mindset in living with health conditions.

So I won't give too much away, but yeah, if you haven't listened to episode 20 and then come back for my next chat with Louise next week. , hopefully enjoy your week and I look forward to chatting soon. [00:41:00]