What happens when you give a team a shared creative challenge where everyone has a part to play?
Foxglove Care wanted a creative team building experience for its senior management team ahead of an afternoon of business planning. The aim was to help people step away from the day-to-day, connect with colleagues and work together differently.
We designed a collaborative art workshop where nine individual canvases would come together to create one statement artwork inspired by East Yorkshire and the Humber.
The result was much more than a finished piece of art. It was a shared experience built around communication, collaboration, creative thinking and connection.
The challenge
Foxglove Care wanted to bring its senior management team together before an afternoon of business planning.
They were looking for something different from traditional team building. An experience that would encourage people to think creatively, connect with colleagues and work towards a shared goal.
They also wanted to create something meaningful for their workplace. Not simply artwork created for the team, but something everyone could contribute to and feel proud of.
Our approach
We developed an original design inspired by East Yorkshire and the Humber, featuring familiar landmarks from the area.
The artwork was divided across nine individual canvases, with each member of the team responsible for creating one part of the finished piece.
Each person had their own contribution to make, but their canvas couldn't work in isolation. The collaborative team building activity required people to communicate, share ideas and keep an eye on the bigger picture.
For the finished artwork to work, the team had to work together.
The workshop
The team began by transferring the overall design onto their individual canvases, immediately creating a need for communication and collaboration.
Lines had to meet. Colours needed to work together. Decisions made on one canvas affected the next.
Throughout the creative workshop, the canvases were repeatedly brought together so the team could review their progress, make adjustments and solve problems collectively.
Different people naturally stepped forward at different stages, ideas were shared and the room became increasingly relaxed. For some participants, it was also their first experience of painting.
By the end of the session, nine individual canvases had become one statement artwork representing both the local area and the contribution of everyone involved.
See the team in action
More than the finished artwork
Creative team building isn't really about the painting.
The artwork gave everyone a shared focus, but the value came from what happened while they created it.
People naturally took on different roles. Some stepped forward to lead at particular stages, while others shared ideas, supported colleagues or concentrated on getting the details right.
Communication, problem-solving and collaboration developed naturally because everyone was working towards the same goal.
The finished artwork now provides a lasting reminder of what the team created together, but also of the experience of creating it.
Individual contributions. One shared outcome.
The impact
Feedback following the workshop showed positive results across team connection, employee engagement and wellbeing.
- 100% felt comfortable participating
- 100% would attend another workshop
- 100% would recommend the workshop
- 89% felt more inspired or energised
- 89% enjoyed connecting with others
- 78% felt more connected to other people
- 78% said the activity positively affected their wellbeing
“Everyone still buzzing about it.”
Johanna Leigh-Thompson
Director, Foxglove Care
About Foxglove Care
Foxglove Care provides person-centred residential care and supported living for adults with learning disabilities and autism, helping people live as independently as possible and empowering them to live the life they choose.
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