A LEADING Yorkshire independent school has committed staff, pupils, time and resources to help place a charity’s arts and crafts programme centre stage for the remainder of 2024.
The Harrogate district’s Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre launched its 12 Days of Giving Appeal towards the end of last year. The appeal invites the local community to support a programme of creative workshops, breaking down barriers between ability and disability through performing arts and music as well as woodwork, pottery, horticulture, mosaics, printing and making jewellery.
Ashville College pupils have already raised almost £400 through money-spinning events on campus to mark Hallowe’en, Bonfire Night and Thanksgiving.
However, school leaders have now confirmed the Senior School and Sixth Form have chosen the appeal as their local good cause for 2024. Their objective is to raise as much money as possible to go towards the cost of providing workshop materials.
Ashville College Chaplain Catherine Frieze said the charity’s positive approach to the mental and physical challenges faced by Henshaws Art Makers has inspired pupils, who have already volunteered on weekly visits to drama, art and jewellery-making sessions.
“Yet there’s more in the pipeline which we hope will continue to give our young Ashvillians and Henshaws Art Makers opportunities to learn from each other. I spent some time with the Art Makers in the drama workshop recently and had a wonderful time doing some improvisation and playing games! There’s so much to be gained from these collaborative experiences, on both sides.”
Plans for the rest of the year will see the Henshaws musicians joining Ashville’s Megaband, a huge group of instrumentalists from across the College, which held its first public performance last year, enjoyed by parents of the musicians. Miss Anna Wilby, Ashville’s Deputy Head Co-curricular and Head of Music, will spend some time at Henshaws in the run up to the performance, rehearsing the piece with the musicians.
For those Henshaws Art Makers who love drama and performing, Mr Karl Boyd, Director of Performing Arts, will run a day of drama workshops in the Summer term, with opportunities for attendees to come along and have fun in the College’s ‘black box’ Drama Studio.
Ashville also plans to run a pop-up clothes and accessories stall at the Arts Centre in June to help raise money. Items for sale will be donated by Ashville pupils, sorted for quality assurance and delivered to Henshaws, where pupil volunteers will help the Art Makers to run the shop.
“Henshaws has a very positive approach to life and believes everyone can fulfil their potential as long as they’re given the opportunity to do so. It’s that belief which inspired our charity team to choose the 12 Days of Giving Appeal as our cause for the year,” Mrs Frieze added.
The 150 Art Makers who attend the workshops are aged between 17 and 80. Through the 12 workshops, people living with a range of disabilities discover their talents, put them into practice and realise their full potential.
“Taking part and putting their talents to work not only changes their lives but helps Art Makers gain some control over how society reacts to and perceives their disability,” said Henshaws’ fund-raising development manager Gemma Young.
“But, as it’s open to all, the Arts and Crafts Centre is also a community hub where creativity, friendships and opportunities can come to life. Everyone has the freedom to work at their own pace, achieving total inclusivity.
“Partnerships like this with Ashville College help to break down barriers and celebrate difference. Friendships can be made in an environment where Art Makers and volunteers alike feel safe.”
Categories: Ashville College
