The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Mike Hodge has presented a cheque for £2,000 to Creative Response in Farnham.
The charity, which was established in 1993 is run by professional artists who share their practice with vulnerable people. Creative Response applied for the Farnham Town Council community grant to fund a painting workshop for carers, volunteers and staff.
Councillor Hodge said: “I was delighted to be invited to the private view of Creative Response’s summer exhibition. I saw a broad range of artwork and enjoyed seeing paintings created during the workshop funded by a community grant from Farnham Town Council.
“Creative Response offers a safe and supportive therapeutic environment for participants to develop their self-esteem and confidence. I heard some heartening tales about how Creative Response has helped clients to overcome their fears and anxieties and to find a welcome relief, which many thought they would never find.”
The summer exhibition is called innerspace and can be viewed until 21 July at Vernon House, West Street.
During his visit, the Mayor was pleased to present Creative Response with a second cheque for £500 from the South Street Trust for which Farnham Town Council is the managing trustee. The grant will be put towards a peer support group; Julie Wise from Creative Response explains: “The peer support group is very person centred and peer led giving individuals resilience and empowering them to acquire the skill and mind set necessary to transition from participant to the wider community.
“It is my hope that groups like this will aid and support people to transition without the revolving door where those that are discharged too soon re-enter services months later. Assistance such as the grant from South Street Trust is invaluable to those that need the support.”
Creative Response supports vulnerable adults of all ages with mental health issues, including addictions and learning and physical disabilities. To find out more visit www.creativeresponsearts.org. Information about grants from Farnham Town Council can be found at www.farnham.gov.uk.
