Taking Time Out With #Time2Sketch

For a third year in a row ABS is back with our national drawing competition #Time2Sketch. This event encourages participants to take an hour out of their day to draw around a set theme and raise money to support the work of the charity.

Not only has #Time2Sketch produced some fantastic artwork in the past, but it is also a great way to bring people and practices together with an opportunity to do something creative.  It is a friendly competition which encourages people to take a short break from their busy work schedule and participate in something fun with friends and colleagues. Time2Sketch is one of our most accessible and popular fundraising events as anyone can take part anywhere in the world. Participants are encouraged to interpret the theme as creatively as possible and we always have a fantastic and diverse range of artwork submitted.

Prioritising Mental Health:

Over the past year we have spent more time than ever working on our screens. Time2Sketch is an excuse to put the laptop down for an hour and pick up some paper and pens. Members of the architectural community, in particular, often work in high pressure environments and taking time out to do something relaxing and enjoyable can release stress and improve workplace productivity. Our partner Anxiety UK says that “A moment of calm in a hectic day can be an incredibly effective way of releasing stress. Taking a moment to reflect, breathe and help you gain a new perspective on stressful situations”.

Physical Health and Disability:

Each year we pick a theme for #Time2Sketch which ties in with the work we do as a charity and this year we have chosen to theme the competition around physical health and disability.

During this year, ABS has been running our Foundation of Support campaign to celebrate our 170th anniversary and provide a renewed focus on our core support services. This year’s #Time2Sketch falls in September which is when we will be raising awareness about our Physical Health and Disability support. We hope to use #Time2Sketch to further increase awareness of this support and help more people who need it.

Living with ill-health or disability – or caring for someone affected – can have a huge impact on you at work and at home. But we can help you to stay independent and improve your quality of life. Follow the link below to find out more about the physical health and disability Support Services we provide.

Time2Sketch Colouring Books:

The top sketches from each years competition are turned into our very own colouring books, which you can purchase to further support the charity. Adult colouring books have been spoken about a lot in the recent years, and it’s been suggested that they can help improve one’s mental health – especially to relieve anxiety and stress. According to UK charity MIND colouring can be a great way to practice mindfulness. They suggest to “focus on the colours and the sensation of your pencil against the paper, rather than trying to draw something in particular. You could use a mindfulness colouring book or download mindfulness colouring images”.

We hope you are able to take a break to join us and show off your creative skills. We are continually inspired by the submissions we receive and are looking forward to what this year will bring – all while raising important funds to enable us to continue to support the architectural community. #Time2Sketch is the perfect opportunity for practices and  staff to come together for a sociable hour and show off your drawing skills. If you’re entering the competition this year, good luck and we hope you have a lot of fun!

Ticketing September 2021:

General Admission: £7.00

General Admission with Printed Colouring Book: £10.50

Colouring Book: £5.00 (created and sent after the event)