About Mint
‘Mint’ was a project that allowed us to reconnect with life and develop a positive mental health as we emerged from the pandemic.
The pandemic created a tough couple of years for many of us. At a time when many of us were struggling to remember what normal was Peterborough Presents worked with artists Sam Roddan, Sue Shields and Emily Bowers to produce MINT, a series of workshops and projects that took the herb Mint as it’s inspiration.
We created 100 Mint ‘care packs’, a package of goodies including a mint plant, activity sheets, note cards, mint chocolate etc. We gave these out to individuals and through groups across the city, encouraging people to connect with nature and try their hand at something creative. Emily and Sam delivered art workshops at care homes and sheltered accomodation (Kingfisher Court and Lapwing Apartments). They gave out the MINT care packs and spent time drawing, painting cups and chatting together.
Artist Emily Bowers chatted to many of the recipients of the packs, illustrating their stories and memories and collating these into a MINT booklet. Everyone received one of the booklets as a keepsake with second copy to share with someone else. You can download one for yourself below.
Westwood Grange Allotments
Artist Sue Shields set up residence at Westwood Grange allotments. She met with allotment olders, chatting to them about what they were growing, drawing their allotments and gathering recipees. The project recognised the inherent benefits to positive mental health (associated with the 5 ways to wellbeing: Connect, Learn, Be active, Give, Take notice) and connections with nature. Sue created a zine of her sketches, of recipes and top tips that was shared with the allotments owners (1 to keep 1 to share) and were distributed to the other 24 allotments sites in the city. You can see some of Sue’s drawings in the gallery above.
Other Projects
Well if you found that fascinating come check out what else we've done!
Top tips and favourite bits: Peterborough Murals
Watch: a short film where 4 Peterborough street artists and the PP team tell you about their favourite murals. We also share some top tips to those interesting in working with artists on future murals
Deljit Singh’s Magical History Tours
Local legend Deljit Singh’s tours of Millfield and Peterborough city centre, exploring the history of places and people past, personal anecdotes, hidden gems, and days gone by.
Bretton Royalty
Bretton Royalty (summer 2021) was inspired by a Bretton resident’s experiences of feeling like royalty during the 1995 Bretton Festival, when she was ‘Bretton Festival princess’ for the day. We extended this feeling of being made to feel special by your community, and celebrated Bretton residents.