I wanted to try and introduce our provision to you in a sentence, but I think it's best summarised in a photograph...

We are a creative and social provision based in North Yorkshire and we work with adults with learning disabilities. I like to think that our sessions uplift moods, boost energy levels and help participants to make lasting friendships. I hope you can see the joyfulness in the photograph!

On the 17th of March 2020, all of our sessions came to a stand still. Participants were sent home and began shielding - for many of our members it was the start of a gruelling 8 months stuck indoors. Venturing outside for an hour a day for exercise is a complicated task for some members - a mix of fear and low mood can often lead to depression and lethargy. Which I think is something we can all relate to.

We've worked really hard to connect with our participants and have been very lucky to have received grant funding - bringing some activity into these homes. So far, we've delivered 310 kit bags with 1248 activities to 132 participants. We've run 38 Zoom sessions for 22 participants, and we've run 24 socially distanced park sessions with 12 participants and their support workers. We've also offered these activities completely free of charge for 8 months. We were thrilled to receive lots of encouraging feedback, like the testimonials below -

Unfortunately the money runs out at the end of December.

We have a plan moving into the New Year. We have a working model of activities that are safe and work well with our participant needs and there is financial support that we can access in the long term. What we're asking for is a small contribution to see us through the rest of the winter months (January and February) to help us keep in touch with our vulnerable participants in the short term. Without this, we risk losing our connection with them which would make our long term plan much more challenging to implement.

In case you're wondering how we spend our money, here's a breakdown of what your contribution could help us achieve -

£3.00 - 1 Tool Kit of multi-use craft material

£10.00 - 2 Tool Kits of sensory props for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities

£20 - 6 'Do it From Home' Kit Bags with 4 accessible activities per bag

£35.00 - A social and creative arts Zoom session for up to 15 participants

£50.00 - A safe and social park meet-up for two vulnerable adults, their support workers and a multi-sensory practitioner. Including a creative arts activity on-site

In return, we will be hosting a free exhibition and workshop opportunity for the general public on the 4th of December. We would love for you to join us (either face to face or virtually depending on Government Guidelines) to showcase the work of our amazing participants. Click here for more information.

We are a really small community group. We don't have the same reach as many big charities and social enterprises and sometimes we get over-looked. Your help could make a huge difference to our participants' experience of 2021!