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Dec
Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: ‘We would be lost without Henshaws’
Raworths is proud to support the Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2025 for the fantastic work of Henshaws. All money raised goes directly to this charity.
The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is calling on you, our readers, to help raise £5,000 for Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough, a place where creativity changes lives.
The centre is a welcoming, supportive and inspiring space where local adults living with disabilities can take part in a variety of fulfilling creative activities to meet their different interests and needs.
But it also offers so much more. As James Love, pictured above with his son Cameron, puts it:
Through the workshops, people are given an opportunity for self-expression. They are supported to discover their talents, build confidence and independence, and develop social connections.
With your donations, we can help the centre offer these invaulable opportunities to even more people. It is reaching capacity and needs to create two new art spaces to accommodate people on its waiting list. Thanks to amazing sponsorship from Raworths Solicitors for our Christmas Appeal, every single penny you give will go directly to making this vision a reality.
Please donate what you can – and give the gift of creativity this Christmas.
Transforming lives
Cameron is autistic with severe learning difficulties. He is non-verbal, and has intestinal and gastroenterol conditions, and requires round the clock one-to-one care.
His dad James said Henshaws has been transformational for him. It has given him confidence and improved his wellbeing. It has also helped him learn to cope with different situations. James described the calm gardens and green space at the centre as Cameron’s happy place. He added:
Cam is full of fun. He loves physical exercise and keeping on the move. At Henshaws, he likes the freedom of being able to transition easily from the workshops and into the external sensory garden to recalibrate, whenever he feels the need.
Structure and purpose
The sense of purpose and achievement that Henshaws offers is also hugely important, said James, with Cameron helping to build a stone path and a bird hide. Sessions are tailored to his needs and provide structure to his week. James said:
The workshops are a lifeline to adults with special needs. There is very limited provision locally, particularly for young people with severe learning difficulties.
The opportunity to come together and experience activities to suit their interests and abilities is invaluable. We would be lost without this provision.
And as well as facilitating learning opportunities, the workshops also offer a community of support and friendship. Cameron loves the social side of Henshaws, said James:
Cam just wants to be like any other adult interacting with their mates, and Henshaws gives him a wonderful opportunity to do that. Although he cannot communicate verbally, Cam clearly gains enormous joy from being able to hang out with his peers, something that is impossible for him to do in most environments.
James is now a patron for Henshaws. He is involved in fundraising, helping with awareness and making connections with people who are interested in supporting Henshaws. He has also personally undertaken fundraising activities, including a 100-mile tandem bike ride with Cameron in June 2023. James said:
It's demanding as a parent of a special needs young person and Henshaws has changed our lives enormously.
Cameron could never work in a conventional job, or even go about any activities without one-to-one support. To have some purpose in his life is essential, and the centre is one of the very few places that can provide this.
How you can help
Please give the gift of creativity to people like Cameron this Christmas.
Just £5 would help equip the new centre with paints and brushes for an Artmaker session. £10 would buy a brick to lay the foundations for the building. And £25 would provide fabric for Artmakers exploring textile creations.
But whatever you can give would be hugely appreciated.
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