Doncaster art project a picture of health with charity funding
A charity which uses art therapy to support adults and children with autism spectrum disorders is picture perfect thanks to funding from South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF).
Doncaster-based Artistic Spectrum was awarded £4,680 by SYCF through its Tween Bridge Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund.
Opened in 2013, Artistic Spectrum provides art sessions and projects to support people of all ages with autism as well as other developmental disorders and physical and mental disabilities.
Based at The ArtSpace gallery and workshop in Thorne, Artistic Therapy also delivers outreach projects at schools and in residential care settings throughout South Yorkshire, Hull and East Yorkshire.
The SYCF grant was used to fund the group’s workshop and gallery, set up a Platinum Jubilee Project and deliver a series of 12 one-day art workshops.
Emily Head, who attends the Artistic Spectrum group, showcases her self-portrait.
Emma Wilson, founder of Artistic Spectrum, said:
We are incredibly grateful to South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation for its grant support. The funding makes a huge difference to the organisation and the community we serve and support.
Our passion is helping local people with autism by providing opportunities to come together and explore their creativity. The adults and young people are given the chance to gain a proud sense of achievement and feel a part of their community through the exhibition of their work.
Three different artists were involved in the SYCF-funded workshops enabling the students to experiment with a variety of pieces of art.
Emma added:
Each block was designed to enable the participants to try new ideas and experiment with different materials. The finished pieces were then exhibited in the Artspace, printed on postcards and sent out to people in the community by volunteers. The sheer joy we saw on the faces of the students who took part was incredible.
The funding from SYCF allows us to continue our work with our local communities and offer our services to people with autism throughout South Yorkshire in future.
The RWE Tween Bridge Wind Farm Community Fund supports projects benefitting local people within three miles of the Tween Bridge Wind Farm near Thorne.
Jess O’Neill, grants and partnerships manager at SYCF, said:
Artistic Spectrum is a unique project which is doing amazing work within the community supporting those with autistic spectrum disorders.
The range and quality of activities, workshops and exhibitions being delivered is vital in promoting and improving the mental health and wellbeing of those who participate.
Being able to showcase their work in the Artspace is a great way to recognise the creativity, expression and talent and ultimately celebrate members of the local community. We’re incredibly proud to support this group.
For more information about SYCF’s grant programme, have a look at our grants page.
Meet Jess
Jess is responsible for leading the team that delivers effectively and efficiently the SYCF's Grants Programmes and identifying improved ways of working and streamlining. Jess will be the lead officer for managing SYCF's proactive volunteer recruitment for its panels, recruiting and increasing diversity, training and providing on-going support including an annual panel members event. Her working days are Tuesday to Friday.
Jess O'Neill
Grants and Partnerships Manager
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