About PEEL

PEEL focuses on helping people explore and understand their true identity, addressing the challenges posed by social media and self-expression. In addition to individual challenges, many organisations face difficulties in creating authentic and inspiring relationships between teams and their members.

The PEEL Programme uses the transformative power of creativity to enable us to understand and express our true selves, helping to build self-confidence, resilience and empathy.

PEEL has been shown to measurably improve people’s mental wellbeing*. Through face-to-face interaction in the physical world, The PEEL Programme helps us develop more meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

*All participants are measured by WEMWBS, an NHS recognised assessment

How it works

The project uses photography and poetry as creative mediums to explore self-identity, emphasising personal growth over appearance.

The interview

Working in pairs, participants interview each other using a list of established prompts.

Creative Writing

The personal insights gained from the conversation lead to a piece of poetry centred on the interviewee. Once created, the poem is used as inspiration to create a photographic portrait.

Photography

The participants are involved in the process of generating ideas: planning use of props, locations, lighting, facial expressions, and composition. These ideas are brought to life in a photoshoot under the guidance of a professional photographer.

Final Piece

The poem and the portrait are combined into a single creative expression. The artwork can be shared online via the PEELZONE. Other events can be created around the resulting artworks including exhibitions, installations and readings.

Who we've worked with

How it works

Holistic approach

PEEL takes a comprehensive approach to self-identity, recognising that mental wellbeing goes beyond external appearances and explores the heart of one's identity.

Creative expression

By integrating poetry and photography, PEEL provides creative outlets for self-expression, allowing individuals to articulate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a meaningful way.

Empowerment through skills

The programme empowers participants with practical skills in photography and poetry, building their confidence and enabling them to communicate more effectively.

Revealing hidden traits

PEEL serves as a catalyst for uncovering latent talents and strengths within individuals. Through the process of creative expression, participants often discover untapped artistic abilities, fostering a newfound sense of confidence and self-assurance.

Empathy and resiliance

Through the process of self-discovery and creative expression, participants develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others, fostering empathy and building resilience.

Measurable impact

The use of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (recognised by the NHS) allows for quantifiable assessment, demonstrating the programme's tangible positive effects on participants' mental well-being.

The PEEL story

In this talk, filmed at the European Design Festival in Estonia, the creator of PEEL, Marksteen Adamson gives a detailed account of what led him to devise the programme and how the process works.

"There’s something that peel does that is incredibly profound"

Dr andrew root - Author and professor