A crowdfunding campaign has been launched by Cirencester-based arts and crafts centre and charity, New Brewery Arts, to provide free access to its courses for vulnerable individuals.
The New Brewery Hearts bursary scheme has a goal to raise £12,000 by Monday 1 July 2024; with last year's scheme delivering 19,291 hours of free participation through classes and workshops, the new campaign total is aiming to allow for a further 4,000 hours of free courses.
Participants are referred to the scheme via local charities including Cirencester Foodbank, The Chum Project and Cirencester Housing for Young People (CHYP) — with more partners expected to be announced.
CEO of New Brewery Arts, Beth Alden said: 'New Brewery Hearts is a social movement. Participants come from the community and are referred to us by our key front-line community partners who work with vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
'Free spaces on our classes can bring a myriad of physical and mental-health benefits; reduced social isolation and anxiety, a sense of fulfilment, achievement and increased confidence.
'Working in partnership with local front-line charities, New Brewery Hearts gives moments of joy, connection, community and creativity that can make a dramatic difference to the wellbeing of participants.'
Those wishing to donate to the New Brewery Hearts scheme can find more information on the New Brewery Arts website and donate via Spacehive.
