About Us
Long Eaton Art Room is a voluntary organisation that believes anyone can benefit from the therapeutic qualities of art & craft making. We were established in April 2006 by a group of enthusiastic creative people for the general public to use as a meeting place where they can relax, have fun making things and learn at their own pace.
Along with our open studio sessions here at the art-room, we do a lot of community workshops – our focus is to provide services accessible to all, including working with disadvantaged people to help them play a fuller role in the community.
As well as participating in art for pleasure we are proud to say that we have helped some of our customers to progress onto either further education or become successful self employed artists.
We have helped many people to set up their own business or move into employment following training courses, work placement and volunteering with us. We have also built strong ties with a number of community groups, local schools and the local authority, running creative workshops at either the Art Room or at specific community events.
Our Community Work
Some examples of our previous community work and projects:
MILE project with funding from the Lottery – Awards For All – this was a free 20 week after school evening craft club for people who are often socially excluded – that might not be able to join all clubs – to come together and work on a range of craft projects with the guidance of two resident artists. We covered a large range of crafts including ceramics, glass fusing, felt, card making, fabric painting, canvas painting, print making, and more. The course was very successful with many participants attending from Brackenfield Special Needs School along with their families. New skills were learnt and new friends made.
restART – ESF funding – retraining for people over 40 who had been long term unemployed. We ran 3 intensive 1 week courses on ceramics, machine knitting and machine sewing. Each attendee was then given 1 months membership and access to both a mentor and use of all our equipment. This was hugely successful with 12 participants out of 16 progressing onto paid employment and 6 into voluntary work.
After school craft activities in association with our local Police Community Safety Officers – working with young people at risk of offending, getting them involved in arts and craft activities. Off the streets and using their time focused on something engaging and positive.
Community Arts Projects – We use the income generated from our artists’ studio spaces and our drop-in sessions to support our community work. We are involved in many things, especially supporting those most disadvantaged in our local community but also including: Arts Week in local schools, working with and visiting Women’s Groups, Stroke Association, Young Carers, Residential Homes, those with Special Needs, Mental Health Groups including Derby City Council’s Early Intervention Team, Young Families, Surestart Centres, Elderly Groups, Other Arts Groups, Aspiring Artists, Working with Local Supported Housing Groups such as P3 and the Caanan Trust (housing for homeless men), etc.
Our Charity Details
Our Charity No: 1136196
We are also a company Limited by Guarantee No: 7148936
