Partner Article

Therapeutic art project receives cash boost from housebuilder

An Evesham-based art group who provide support for adults with mental health and learning difficulties has received a cash boost of £1,000 from a regional builder.

Persimmon Homes South Midlands selected The Garage Art Group to receive the Community Champions funding as part of a year-long initiative to support local charities and groups in the communities where they are currently working.

The Garage Art Group has an open door policy offering activities for over 60 students with an emphasis on Art for Health to raise confidence and develop coping strategies and life skills.

Relying heavily on grants the group plans to use the funding to continue to deliver the therapeutic art classes. Its two part time professional tutors and five volunteers and helpers run two classes a week 46 weeks of the year.

Some of the artwork will go on display at Persimmon’s local development, Blossom Fields, off Cheltenham Road, just a couple of miles from The Garage Art Group in the coming weeks.

Jane Bunting, vice chair and part time fundraiser at The Garage Art Group says that the group recently applied for alternative grants but were unsuccessful:

“This funding means that our art tutors and volunteers can continue to contribute to the health and wellbeing of adults with a range of special needs and those facing mental ill health by providing art classes, confidential support and welcoming meeting place.

“We are extremely grateful for the support shown by Persimmon Homes South Midlands and look forward to exhibiting some examples of our artwork at their local development.”

Carol Selway, head of sales for Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said the Community Champions initiative was a way of supporting people across every city, town and village where the company works, adding: “We are very proud to hand over this donation to The Garage Art Group, a fantastic user led group which helps support local people through creative expression.”

The donation forms part of Persimmon’s Community Champions project, which will see a pot of £24,000 donated to local groups and charities over 12 months throughout the region.

Carol concluded: “We have made it a easy as possible to apply for funding and encourage community groups and charities to apply for match-funding by completing an online form atwww.persimmonhomes.com/charity.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Andrew McLagan .