No icebreakers: two free creative afternoons in Saltash

The hardest part of walking into a room full of strangers is rarely the room. It is the bit before anything starts, the going round the table, the saying your name and one interesting thing about yourself. Two free afternoons in Saltash this month have taken that out completely.

Two dates, two age groups

Quiet Connections is running two Creative Get-Togethers at Saltash Studios in August, one for adults and one for young people aged 13 to 17. The adult afternoon is on Thursday 20 August. The one for young people follows on Tuesday 25 August. Both run from 2pm to 4pm, both are free, and both are capped at 10 places.

The money came from Saltash Town Council's Community Chest, which is what allows the two get-togethers to be offered at no charge.

Who the afternoons are for

They have been designed with quieter people in mind. That takes in people who are introverted, shy or highly sensitive, people who experience social anxiety, and anyone who simply prefers a quieter, lower-pressure way of spending time with others.

There will be no icebreaker and nobody will be asked to introduce themselves to the whole group. Conversation is welcome if it happens naturally. Staying quiet, or just getting on with the activity in front of you, is equally welcome.

What will be on the tables

Activities include 'Reframe Quiet' poster-making, which uses artwork to explore quiet strengths, and art inspired by song lyrics. There will be a textile table with wool and beginner crochet patterns, plus colouring, word searches and materials for drawing and writing.

One of the activities takes its inspiration from the HushFest Song. HushFest is Quiet Connections' Festival of Quietness, which was held in Cornwall in July this year.

People can try several activities, spend the full two hours on one, bring a creative project of their own, or have a cup of tea and enjoy some quiet company without making anything at all. No previous creative experience is needed.

"There is room for both"

Hayley Stanton, founder of Quiet Connections CIC, said: "Connection doesn't have to start with conversation. Having something to do together gives us another way to connect. We want to create social opportunities where quieter people don't feel like they have to be more chatty, loud or outgoing to take part. Some people will chat while they create and others will enjoy quietly working alongside someone. There is room for both."

Ellie Zalick of Quiet Connections, a quieter person herself, will welcome people at both events and join in with the activities alongside the group.

Weekly Meet Ups from Liskeard to Penzance

The Saltash afternoons sit alongside work the group already does across the county. Quiet Connections runs weekly Meet Ups for adults from Liskeard to Penzance, and has previously run youth Meet Ups in six communities: Penzance, Redruth, Camborne, Helston, Truro and Liskeard.

How to book a place

Both get-togethers are at Saltash Studios, 24 Fore Street, Saltash, PL12 6JL. There are 10 places at each and advance sign-up is requested.

• Quieter adults: Thursday 20 August 2026, 2pm to 4pm. Sign up for the adults' get-together.
• Quieter young people aged 13 to 17: Tuesday 25 August 2026, 2pm to 4pm. Sign up for the young people's get-together.

Ten seats, two hours, and nobody keeping count of who spoke.

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