Page 16 - Oundle Life March 2021

GETTING
CRAFTY
with Pink House Arts CIC
2020 was a busy year for
Pink House Arts CIC. Before Covid-19 our not-for-profit community interest company organised craft-based clubs, workshops, classes and events
in rural communities. We
also work with adults who
have physical or learning
difficulties, elderly residents
in care homes or sheltered
housing, and community or healthcare settings.
In March 2020, when the country went into lockdown, we needed a new plan. Many of the people we work with are affected by loneliness, social isolation, or ill health and these issues weren’t going to disappear. So we came up with the idea of Activity Bags.
People choose the crafts and activities that interest them from a list, and each month we provide them with everything they need to make or do some of those activities in the safety and comfort of their own home.
We started our project with funding from the East of England Co-operative, and later from the National Lottery Community Fund and Northamptonshire Community Fund.
And by working with the Northamptonshire Library Service, we’ve reached out
to more people who are housebound. Now we deliver
Activity Bags to nearly 60 people each month in the Oundle district, Corby, Thrapston, Rushden, Raunds, and Higham Ferrers.
We’re also planning the launch of a new gardening club at Oundle Library. The health benefits of gardens and gardening are well- documented and the club will be another social activity for adults who are socially isolated, who may no longer have a garden, or find it hard to manage the garden they do have. And later in 2021 we aim to re-start our groups, classes and craft events.
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If you’d like to find out more, give us a call on (01832) 226268 or visit our website at www.pinkhousearts.org.uk