Henshaws 12 days of Giving: helping our day support

28th November marks the annual celebration of #GivingTuesday, a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organisations to transform their communities. To celebrate, Henshaws are launching their #12DaysOfGiving Appeal to raise money for the inspiring Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough. This Christmas, Henshaws are asking for the help of local businesses, organisations and individuals across the Harrogate and Knaresborough regions to support Art Makers’ creativity throughout the whole of 2024 by making a donation this December as part of the 12 Days of Giving campaign.

Henshaws’ Arts and Crafts Centre provides vital day support for adults with disabilities, where our Art Markers make more than just art. We bring together people in an atmosphere that never fails to inspire, and through our range of creative workshops people living with a range of disabilities can discover their talents, put them into practice, and realise their full potential in a supportive environment. On weekdays the workshops are filled with Art Makers creating beautiful and unique pieces of art, with over 150 talented individuals making this vibrant community home. Everyone is made to feel welcomed, empowered and happy to be themselves.

There is an eclectic range of different workshops to choose from at the Centre, including Woodwork, Pottery, Horticulture, Performing Arts, Music, Mosaics, Paper, Printing, Jewellery and Multi-Sensory. But to continue with our amazing day support and truly make our creative workshops come to life, there are many costs to cover. These include the costs of materials such as mosaic tiles, paintbrushes, easels and clay, wood, tissue paper, crayons, pom poms and paint – and the list goes on. This alone amounts to £16,000 annually for all 12 workshops, which equates to £25 per workshop per week. Alongside this, Henshaws needs to keep the workshops warm and light for Art Makers to ensure a safe and healthy environment. Due to some of the health conditions of the Art Makers, it is vital that the Centre remains at a warm and constant temperature, and there is specialist equipment to keep running such as hoists and bright lights for those with visual impairments. The total running costs of all 12 creative workshops is just over £1,000 per week.

“Winter is fast approaching, and as the temperature drops, so can the spirits of many in our community. Heating our Centre during these colder months is not just a matter of comfort; it’s a matter of inclusion and accessibility. Our workshops allow Art Makers to use their talents not only to change their own lives but to gain some control over how society reacts to and perceives their disability, breaking down barriers and creating life-long friendships”.

Gemma Young, Henshaws Fundraising Development Manager

Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough is open to the public Monday to Friday, with a fully licensed café and shop, accessible facilities and woodland walk; it is also available to hire for events and functions on evenings and weekends. Alongside this, the Arts and Crafts Centre is the perfect location for a wide variety of events which take place throughout the year, such as the annual Beer Festival and BedFest events, engaging with our local community around Harrogate and Knaresborough and bringing everyone together.

For more information contact Gemma Young, Fundraising Development Manager on fundraising@henshaws.org.uk