• Drawing our crowdfunder sponsors

  • TCA participants drawing each other summer 2024

  • Making bowls from paper pulp, summer 2024

  • TCA drawing exercise using charcoal and bamboo sticks, summer 2024

  • Making collagraph plates, autumn 2024

  • Collagraph workshop autumn 2024

TEA, CAKE & ART: THE WHOLE CAKE CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN

Anyone walking past The Exchange on Tuesdays might wonder what the group of older people chatting and doing art together in The Engine Room are laughing about. It’s clear from the new LITTLE FILM we’ve made that they are simply having a whale of a time enjoying themselves being creative with friends with the help, of course, of some tea and cake.

I like to be with other people, being creative … the pleasure in seeing what others produce!”

Since 2019 our Tea, Cake & Art classes have offered a weekly creative social, free of charge and with refreshments, for older people who feel isolated or lonely and who benefit from spending time with others, and making new friends through art.

I’ve met so many people that I love being with!”

There is increasing recognition that good Creative Health helps keep your brain active for longer … but the group already knows how important doing creative things together is for mental and physical well-being, for their independence, and for feeling valued and part of the wider world because they’ve seen and experienced the benefits themselves.

They’re great company, and we’re involved in something creative. I think it saved me, quite honestly”

We welcome people aged over 65 who feel isolated or lonely for whatever reason – living alone, grieving, having caring responsibilities, anxiety, or other access barriers due to health – and welcome people with dementia and their carers, as well as carers on their own:

Because of my role as a carer for someone who has dementia, my head doesn’t work any more. I needed space for myself. I felt really looked after and nurtured – that’s a really important thing.”

This year’s CHRISTMAS CROWDFUNDER CAMPAIGN is about friendship and how that’s made easier if you are making art together. It’s about the whole experience – the whole cake!

We want to secure a Creative Health offer to those most in need, including to carers. To keep Tea, Cake & Art free of charge and open for all, we need your help. Your contribution: £6, £25, £120 or any amount you wish, will go directly towards serving the Whole Cake of Tea, Cake & Art to those who need it most.

As ever, we are offering lovely Christmassy rewards too, so please TAKE A LOOK.

YOU CAN DONATE HERE

Thank you for your support and generosity.