Art centre offers free places for vulnerable people

The movement called New Brewery Hearts aims to provide free classes to vulnerable people

A Gloucestershire art centre is fundraising to provide free art classes to vulnerable people.

New Brewery Arts in Cirencester is aiming to raise £12,000 by 1 July to provide 1,200 free classes to people in need of support.

They have named the movement New Brewery Hearts and aspire to give joy to people who are unable to access creativity.

Working with local charities, the arts centre hopes to offer fully-funded places on classes, courses and workshops.

The art centre offers a range of different craft workshops, including jewellery making

"There’s lots of evidence that doing something creative and working in a group can be really beneficial for wellbeing in loads of different ways," said CEO Beth Alden.

Last year, the arts centre were able to offer about 300 hours of free classes to vulnerable people.

Clients are referred to the scheme via local charities including Cirencester Foodbank, The Churn Project and Cirencester Housing for Young People.

The centre specialises in various forms of craft, such as ceramics, stone carving, printing, basket making, sewing, drawing and painting, stained glass and textiles.

"We want to have more people have access to those moments of joy and wellbeing," said Ms Alden.

"There are so many people who are really struggling with the cost of living and sometimes you need a moment to feel like you have achieved something and a creative class can do that," she continued.

"But if you’re struggling financially, you may be unable to access that."

The art centre is offering free art workshops to help people's wellbeing

Arts and crafts can have a range of wellbeing benefits, said Ms Alden, including lifting mood, alleviating stress and anxiety and helping with isolation.

One person who was referred to the scheme, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "As a disabled person on benefits, I could never have afforded this experience, it’s made me feel worthy of something special. It’s made me feel someone believes in me."

Another anonymous service user said: "I am passionate about ceramics – it fits in around my responsibilities as a single parent and my chronic health condition (ME).

"Pottery is the one bit of ‘me time’ I have every week and it keeps me sane. It challenges me and gives me a sense of achievement."