It’s always nerve-racking moving somewhere new, away from friends and family. I’ve never lived more than twenty minutes away from them before, so this was a big shift. Also, being a freelancer, it’s difficult to bounce creative ideas off others or feel part of something when most of your day is spent working solo. That feeling of being a bit on your own can creep in quickly.

I knew nothing about the area other than it looked pretty in the one visit I made when Seb was having his interview for his job, the reason we moved. When I first arrived in Shrewsbury, I didn’t really know anyone. I was just hoping to find somewhere that felt comfortable, somewhere that made sense creatively. I did what most of us do and started scrolling Instagram to get a feel for the area. That’s when I came across Sarah (@shrewsbury_sarah), who shares loads of great local businesses and independent spots. She does this Sunday shoutout where people recommend their favourite places, and through that I found Rachel (@rachaeljohnston_holistic), who’s a holistic therapist.

I was feeling pretty stressed after losing my dog Cho, so I reached out to Rachel for a bit of peace. I booked in for an Indian head massage, which was exactly what I needed at the time. She was instantly lovely, and you could just tell she had a kind heart. We got chatting (I had a cry), and she mentioned her friend Clare (@clarey_mary), who’s also a graphic designer and just happens to co-direct Swan Hill Studios. Clare invited me to come and have a look around the space, and I’m so glad she did. That little Instagram trail ended up leading me to something special.

Swan Hill Studios.

It’s a creative space right in town. It’s a bit of a hive of social creativity where the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and thanks to The Circle, their community of local artists, makers, crazy people, it’s often filled with that kind of low-key creative energy that makes you want to join in. Also only costs £6 for life membership, bargain. You don’t need to be a full-time artist to feel like you belong. It’s the kind of place where creativity just feels easy, and joining The Circle is what led me to my first event there.

Clare and Sam, who co-direct the studio, have created something that just feels easy to step into. Sam (@pswecreate) is an artist with a lovely energy and a proper passion for community-led creativity. It’s welcoming in that really natural way, without fuss or pretence. Everyone’s just doing what they love, and that energy rubs off on you in the best way.

The first thing I went to was a workshop called Setting Your Intentions for 2025. It was chilled, thoughtful, and didn’t feel like one of those over-the-top goal setting sessions. Just a bunch of people reflecting a bit, thinking about the year ahead, and sharing ideas in a relaxed way. Sam ran it and she made the whole thing feel so open and easy to be part of. Also, important shoutout here for her black labrador, Mac, who’s basically the studio’s unofficial mascot.

I met some great people that day. Meg (@megan_s.art), who’s a full-time oil painter over at Raven Studios in English Bridge Workshop. Laura, who works at BizEd, a project that supports creativity and innovation in education. Fiona (or Fi) (@fiona_forsythe_art), who’s a retired nurse and creates beautiful paintings and linocut artwork. Everyone had their own creative thing going on, and the whole atmosphere just felt easy and open. It was the kind of group where you could instantly relax and be yourself. We’ve all stayed in touch since, and that’s made a huge difference. I just like meeting people who’ve got kind souls and a passion for creative minds.

It’s also given me a bit of a kick to focus more on the stuff I’ve been putting off. I want to do more with Curly Tail this year. It’s a little creative side project I started a while back to explore digital illustration and be more playful with my creativity. I’ve got a few side projects on the go, but this one’s just for me. I haven’t given it much time since moving, so it’s something I want to bring back into the mix. I also want to value my work properly and stop downplaying it. And I want to put myself first more. Being in this space has helped me reconnect with the side of creativity that’s just for me. No deadlines, no pressure to turn it into something more. Just the joy of making things again, for the sake of it.

If you’re in or around Shrewsbury and looking for a place to be creative or just meet some decent people, definitely check out Swan Hill Studios. It’s one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve landed in the right spot without having to try too hard. And honestly, that’s the kind of thing I’d been hoping to find.

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