Sometimes life does not need another grand plan. It needs a little room to think, something useful to try, and a place where you can turn up without having to explain everything first.
That is the starting point for A Little Less Stuck, Cat & Crow’s new community wellbeing project in Torfaen. We’re preparing three free six-week programmes: Pen and Pause, Mind Your Bucket and Unstuck Club.
Each offers a different way in. They share the same approach: small groups, useful ideas explained clearly, and choice about how you take part.
Pen and Pause: a place to put your thoughts
Pen and Pause explores journalling and reflection as ways to put thoughts into words, notice what matters and make some room in a busy mind.
There will be simple prompts, time to write or reflect, and optional conversation. A sentence, a list or a drawing can be enough. Your writing stays yours; you won’t be asked to read it aloud.
You don’t have to be a writer. There are no marks for spelling and no prizes for neat handwriting.
Mind Your Bucket: when everything feels like one thing too many
Stress can build gradually, until something small feels anything but small. Mind Your Bucket uses the simple stress bucket idea to explore what adds pressure, what helps and where you might make a little more room.
We’ll look at recognising pressure signals, trying practical coping tools, working with the energy you have and asking for support. Some pressures need practical help or a shared load; a coping exercise cannot make every difficult circumstance disappear.
Unstuck Club: small steps that fit real life
Perhaps your confidence has taken a knock, you feel isolated, or your week has lost its shape. Unstuck Club offers space to explore a realistic next step through conversation, creative activities and small experiments.
That might mean trying something new, finding a useful routine, looking into local support or making one part of the week easier. No speeches, forced positivity or enormous life plan required.
What can you expect?
Each programme runs for six weekly sessions of two hours, including a break. Groups have up to ten participants and two facilitators. Funded places are free.
Sharing personal experiences is optional. We offer different ways to take part, and printed materials are available. Ask us about access or any practical support you need.
These are community wellbeing programmes, rather than therapy or clinical treatment. You don’t need a diagnosis or a personal story prepared for the group.
Who are the funded places for?
The Trailblazer-funded places are for Torfaen residents aged 18–64 who are not in paid work and face a health, wellbeing, confidence, social or practical barrier to taking part.
The funding rules also require that you have either not actively looked for work in the last four weeks, or are not available to start work in the next two weeks. We’ll check eligibility privately before confirming a funded place.
If you’re unsure whether this fits your circumstances, ask us. You don’t have to work it all out before getting in touch.
Coming soon: register your interest
Dates and venues are being arranged and will be added to the programme page as they are confirmed. You can register interest now and tell us which group appeals to you, or choose “Not sure yet”. This is an expression of interest, rather than a confirmed booking.
Explore the three programmes or register your interest here.
Please keep your enquiry to basic practical information. Registration and eligibility checks happen separately and privately.
A Little Less Stuck is supported by Torfaen County Borough Council through the Trailblazer Community Grant.
