Free Mental Health Awareness Mini Conference
About the Conference
Join us for a community-led mental health conference that centres lived experience, collective care, and creative expression. This event brings together individuals with first-hand experience of mental health challenges, professionals working in the field, and everyone who is interested in coming along.
Expect inspiring talks, honest conversations, and space to reflect, celebrate, and imagine something better.
What to expect:
- Talks from people with lived experience of mental health issues and services
- An overview from a specialist on mental health and how services operate
Two interactive workshops:
Whether you come to listen, speak, create, or connect- we’d love to have you there.
**Dates**: 21st May – 18th June 2025 (Wednesdays)
**Time**: 5:00pm–7:00pm
**Location**: Tameside Arts Ltd
**Facilitator**: Jojo (Animator and Creator of *The Spider God*)
**Cost**: £15 per session (includes materials and refreshments)
This is a 5-part animation workshop series focused on creating original 2D animated shorts using traditional and digital techniques. Participants will be introduced to character design, key animation principles, background creation, and assembling a final product.
Session Breakdown
Session 1 – Character Design (21st May)
- Introductions and trailer screening (*The Spider God*)
- Explore personality in shape, expression, posture
- Sketching and refining characters using pen and paper
- Discussion: How design affects animation
- Optional: Begin drawing key poses for next session
- Provide printed resource pack + software download links
Session 2 – Animating Your Character (28th May)
- Recap + review participant character sketches
- Introduce animation software options (Krita, Toon Boom, TV Paint)
- Demonstrate animation on your laptop
- Participants animate character motion (paper or digital)
- Focus on 6 big animation principles (with reference to *The Spider God*)
- Save or photograph sequences for next session
Session 3 – Creating Backgrounds (4th June)
- What makes an effective background for animation?
- Participants design a background that fits their character
- Explore scale, perspective, environment storytelling
- Begin drawing backgrounds on paper or tablet
- Scan or photograph backgrounds for use next session
Session 4 – Character + Background Animation (11th June)
- Combine character animation with background
- Demonstrate layering in software
- Participants animate character within their scene (digital or photographed paper)
- Provide feedback and guidance on integration and flow
Session 5 – Final Polish & Showcase (18th June)
- Participants refine and finish short animation clips
- Add titles, sound, or effects (if desired)
- Group viewing + feedback session
- Celebrate progress and creativity
- Optional: Share finished films via online gallery or drive link