Cool it Art is thrilled to announce their award-winning programme Young at ‘Art has just been granted funding from Awards for All - one of the National Lottery funds for communities, to run another year’s programme from August 2019 - July 2020.
Young at ‘Art is a programme of free weekly art classes for adults; set up in response to Age UK’s shocking statistic in 2015 that over 1 million older people hadn’t spoken to anyone for a month. Initially it was set up with older members of the community in mind however it organically grew to include adults of all ages. The classes also support adults with special and complex needs as well as engaging their carers.
Young at ‘Art doesn’t just get participants to explore and hone their creativity but is also provides a safe space where people can come and meet others and tackle loneliness and social isolation by providing the classes, a cup of tea and a chat!
The programme was set up in partnership with VGERTA (Vauxhall Gardens Estate Residents and Tenants Association) and is held at The Carmelita Centre on Vauxhall walk. We also work closely with Lambeth Walk Day Centre to involve their service users and carers who work with them.
“London can be a very lonely place and if you have a disability it can feel even lonelier! A lot of people feel isolated and getting the opportunity to go out and do new things and meet new people can only be of benefit to the individual in an environment where they don’t feel out of place or stared at such as the Young at ‘Art classes” - Lambeth Walk Day Centre
We have produced two annual exhibitions to showcase the works created by the group which have been received really well by the local community, funders and supporters alike. We are also very fortunate to be supported by GreatArt who match fund our art materials on this project and all our other ones too!
Since the classes began we have benefitted over 60 individuals in the local community with plans to extend the reach of the programme even further. If you want to get involved in the programme you can find out more information on the website coolitart.com
Cool it Art is a Social Enterprise, founded by Amanda Callis in 2013, which provides free creative opportunities for communities; predominantly in Lambeth but also across London and the South.
Cool it Art celebrated it’s 6th Birthday in May 2019 and to date has delivered 90 different projects to inspire creativity in communities.