A clay workshop for children

On 3 November 2024, the first clay workshop took place at the "Detelina" Family-type care home for children without disabilities in Sofia. It wasn't just a workshop — it was an exciting adventure and a real gift to the children: time and space to be themselves, to create, and to express their feelings through the unique world of clay. The main task was to make clay snails and invent stories about them. Then, carried away by their own ideas and inspiration, they started making other things too.
Working with clay has a really positive effect on emotional and mental health — and that matters especially for children who've been through difficult times. Over these two-hour sessions, the little ones had the chance to express themselves in a free, healthy way. As we shaped the soft, malleable clay, the children talked about what was on their minds and let their imaginations run with the stories they were inventing for their characters. Clay has a calming effect — it lets children discover the joy of creating and feel proud of what they've made.

The initiative was run together with Plamena Todorova — an inspiring mentor, art therapist and potter who has been working with this art since 2021. Plamena is currently finishing a training in "Clay Therapy" with Dr Lynne Souter-Anderson in England. She believes clay has a magical power to heal and to help people connect with their emotions and inner needs. Her wish is to make clay therapy more widely known as a way to improve quality of life — and today's workshop was another step in that direction.
This first workshop is only the beginning. Over time, regular clay sessions can have a real therapeutic effect, lift the children's self-esteem and self-image, and give them confidence in other parts of their lives. It's more than art — it's care, attention and a chance for a fresh start, given with love and hope for a brighter future.
You can follow Plamena and "Clay Conversations" on Instagram @clay.conversations.bg and on Facebook at Clay Conversations Bulgaria.