10
Dec
The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: What creativity means at Henshaws
This Christmas, please help Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough give the gift of creativity to adults with sight loss and other disabilities.
The centre is reaching capacity and needs to extend its art workshops so that it can offer life-changing opportunities to more local people, including those on its waiting list.
This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is asking you to help us raise £5,000 which will go directly to the new art studios, transforming lives not just for Christmas but the whole year round.
What the Artmakers and their families say
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been bringing you stories from the people who attend Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre and their families about how it has transformed their lives.
Here’s a selection of our favourite comments.
The Artmakers
Mark, who loves the art and embroidery workshops:
I like it here. I like all of Christmas and the songs. I like making decorations. I like doing things and keeping working and learning new things. I like chatting to people and I've made lots of friends.
Olivia, meanwhile, throws herself into everything she does at the centre and particularly loves the build-up to Christmas.
Olivia and Mark.
Olivia's mum Sarah said:
We just want Olivia to be happy in what she does, and Henshaws makes that possible... At Christmas, when we see her so full of excitement and creativity, it means the world to us.
Hannah, who has been at the centre for more than ten years, describes Henshaws as a place full of happiness:
Hannah and her mum Sue, left, and Karina and her mum Amanda.
The families
For families of people with disabilities, Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre can make a huge difference to their lives, too. We spoke to Amanda, a volunteer at the centre whose daughter Karina attends workshops. She said:
Henshaws has made a huge difference to Karina’s life and to ours as well.
As a parent of a child with disabilities, it's hard work. You feel like you are on your own. When we found Henshaws the staff helped me a lot. Sometimes you just need one person to ask if you’re all right.
Hear from more Artmakers in this video
How you can help
This Christmas, we’re asking for your donations to help Henshaws build two new creative workshops.
With your help, the centre will be able to introduce up to 200 additional workshop sessions every week, from mosaics and textiles to ceramics and painting.
The new space will be designed for people of all abilities, offering a safe, joyful and inspiring environment where people can thrive. Please donate whatever you can – every pound will bring the charity closer to a future where no one has to wait for a place to create, to belong and to shine.
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