21
Nov
Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal: ‘Our Artmakers are amazed at what they can do’
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.
For this year's Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal, we are asking for your support to raise £5,000 towards two much-needed new creative workshops at Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough.
The centre offers life-enhancing creative opportunities to people with sight loss and other disabilities – but it has a waiting list and is running out of space.
Please donate whatever you can to our appeal and help give the gift of creativity this Christmas
‘The sense of achievement is huge’
Jonnade Ahmed in the workshop.
Catt Van Leijen has been a workshop leader at Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre for six years, teaching pottery and paper art.
Every day, she sees the difference that art makes to her students, or ‘Artmakers’ as they are called. She says:
We get lots of people coming here who don't think they are creative and very quickly are amazed at what they can make.
The emphasis for us is on facilitating them to fulfil their potential. Art helps them feel that anything is possible.
Catt Van Leijen.
The sense of achievement that creativity fosters is huge, says Catt, and it also helps build confidence, independence and social connection. She says:
It’s so lovely to see our Artmakers flourish and grow. This is a place where there are lots of smiles. Creativity brings so much enjoyment to the people here.
And it’s also a kind of therapy. Particularly when we work with papier-mâché and clay, the tactile nature of it can be very calming.
Art with a purpose
It’s also important, Catt stresses, that people are given the opportunity to showcase their art and see the results of what they have created. Their work is frequently displayed in the Henshaws café and the Handmade at Henshaws shop, providing a real sense of purpose and pride.
Some Artmakers have even had pieces featured in exhibitions at venues including Salts Mill, the Mercer Gallery and Fountains Abbey. Catt says:
We encourage our students to make things that have both form and function. It means their art is not just decorative; it has a purpose as well. Some of our artmakers feel as if they are coming to work when they come here.
When they see their art being displayed, it makes them so happy. It's amazing.
Give the gift of creativity this Christmas
By supporting the Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal, you’ll be enabling Henshaws to provide creative opportunities to more people with disabilities so they can find joy, purpose and friendship in art.
Thanks to our Christmas Appeal sponsor, Raworths Solicitors in Harrogate, all money raised will go directly to the new art studios.
Please contribute whatever you can. Thank you.
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