Member Article

Wellspring hosts pre-christmas arts and crafts show

Made for Giving - one of Wellspring Therapy and Training’s annual fundraising events - will take place on the evening of Friday November 2 and all day on Saturday November 3 at St. Peter’s Church in Harrogate.

Wellspring is one of Harrogate’s leading mental health charities. It offers affordable counselling to children, young people and adults and promotes good mental health through education and training.

At a time when NHS mental health resources are struggling to meet the demand for talking therapies, charities like Wellspring provide an essential service to the community. Made for Giving - an arts and crafts event - has been held annually since 2013. As well as raising money to support the work of Wellspring it also aims to raise its local profile.

The idea of the event grew from the wish of some local artists to do something to support Wellspring. Each year they invite different artists and makers to take part in the event and all those involved contribute a generous percentage of their takings to Wellspring as well as donating one of their pieces to the raffle.

This year Made for Giving showcases the work of fourteen talented local artists and makers featuring ceramics, textiles, stained glass, wood, paintings, prints, jewellery etc. As a pre-Christmas arts event it offers an ideal opportunity for its visitors to buy beautiful handmade items for Christmas presents whilst also supporting this fantastic local charity.

Beth Rimmer of Wellspring explained: “The raffle has become another key element of Made for Giving combining a beautiful array of handmade items with some fantastic prizes donated by local businesses. This year’s prizes include a Spa Experience for two at Rudding Park, Slingsby gin and a voucher for the highly regarded Skosh restaurant in York.

She added: This year three of the local artists - Caryl Hallett (glass), Fiona Mazza (ceramics) and Diane Jones (textiles) - have generously volunteered to each run a one day workshop for Wellspring supporters to help them to make small items for sale. These will then be sold on a Wellspring stall at the event. Hopefully this will boost the money raised.“

The preview evening on Friday 2nd November runs from 7-9pm with wine and nibbles and music from Spa Saxophone Quintet. This gives those attending first chance to browse and buy. On Saturday 3rd November the event is open from 10am to 4pm. A delicious range of homemade refreshments will be available throughout the day in the café area.

This will be the first fundraising event since Wellspring moved into their new premises - Wellspring House at 78 High Street, Starbeck. Money raised at Made for Giving will help them to continue the ongoing work to give psychological support to those suffering with mental health issues. It promises to be a very special event.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .