ArtWorks, are celebrating today after being awarded almost £30,000 in National Lottery funding to assist their work in supporting adults with disabilities.
We will use the money to renovate the outdoor social area and car park of our new community space in Thorpe Hesley. Prior to our involvement, the council owned site was disused for several years, and the car park and outdoor areas are currently unsafe, and in a state of disrepair. The restoration of these areas will allow the building to be opened to the local community, including the brownies, girl guides, a police surgery, dance groups, local theatre organisations, elderly and school groups.
The local council granted, by a community asset transfer,the community centre on Brook Hill to us, and we have spent the past year renovating the building, which we now hope to open up for local community use.
Kayleigh Cruickshank, founder of ArtWorks, commented: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to open up the building to the local community to use and invite local groups in to take part in a series of creative workshops run by our service users. This is important because it helps local groups engage in creative activities whilst supporting our service users to gain new skills, promote independence and help our artists contribute to their local community”
Maggi Clark, Councillor for Keppel Ward stated: “The regeneration of the car park will provide safe and secure access to the building for members of the local community whilst at the same time cutting down on street parking near the bus stop. This is going to mean better and safer access to what is already a huge asset to the area”.
The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players to good causes, is the largest community funder in the UK.
