SIGNIFICANT Seams, a social enterprise that uses textile and crafts to build community and support people, is delighted to announce it has been successful in securing substantial funds for a new project in Mid Devon to support carers and combat social isolation.

Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, and Crediton Town Council are all directly supporting the initiative.

The project, “The Craft of Caring Mid Devon” explores the role that craft has in carers well-being, encourages artists to explore the complexities of caring, and offers arts-based activities to carers and their communities in Mid Devon.

Catherine West, from the project, explained: “Unpaid carers epitomise ideas of community, whilst often struggling to maintain a sense of self, and their role remains little known.

“This project will explore this whilst offering an outlet to carers, and better connecting them to each other. The project wants to hold their messages - and make them accessible artistically to their community. In Mid Devon, 10.6 per cent of people are carers.

Significant Seams is now recruiting artists, arts facilitators, and craft-y volunteers for a range of opportunities:

• A curated art exhibition with an exhibition fee of £150 for selected artists. Artists can find out more and apply at: http://significantseams.org.uk/?p=6642 .

• Associate Artist paid work to help deliver activities across Mid Devon, April - June 2019. Details at: http://significantseams.org.uk/vacancies/artist-facilitators-craft-of-caring-mid-devon/ .?• 12 volunteers to support activities and help establish craft groups in Crediton, Cullompton and Tiverton areas - potentially including hamlets. Individuals are encouraged to register their interest at: http://eepurl.com/dBtlun .

The project aims to represent and amplify the experience of carers sensitively: supporting, connecting, and hearing from carers in the process. Artworks created by and with carers, and selected artworks from professional artists will feature in an exhibition during National Carers Week, National Culture, Health and Well-Being Week, and CredFest in June 2019.

Details of project workshop sessions will be announced on an ongoing basis at: www.significantseams.org.uk, and via Significant Seams email list. Carers or groups interested in taking part can contact Catherine West at 077 4292 5085.

In addition to leading publicly funded projects, Significant Seams offer a range of services including consultancy in the art, health and well-being space, workshop programmes for schools and groups, and provision of bulk or bespoke craft supplies and kits.

In the last two years, Significant Seams has re-centred its work in SW England from London.

Significant Seams ecology of craft signature programme plays with the concepts of ecology as community. It represents how in craft groups those taking part help one another - and use what is around them to transform life and experiences.