CREDITON Heart Project has been awarded a £10,000 grant by the Arts Council to run an exciting programme of creative workshops and activities for all ages during the summer holidays.

The workshops will include pottery, willow sculpture, collage, guitar, graffiti art, jewellery upcycling, writing, drama, spoken word and robot sculptures.

They will take place in Crediton from August 10 to 28 in a marquee on an empty plot of land between Tesco and the new Redlands Surgery.

This project is the result of an innovative partnership between the Heart Project, a local charity, and the Redlands GPs, who are all keen to support people’s health and wellbeing through arts and creativity.

“It’s well recognised that being creative makes people feel better,” explained Rosemary Stephenson, Chair of the Heart Project, “We’re thrilled that the Arts Council is backing our project, which will bring people together to learn new things and have lots of fun in the process.”

The workshops will be run by local artists, with help from several local organisations including The Turning Tides Project, Sustainable Crediton, Age Concern, Crediton Arts Centre, CODS (Crediton Operatic and Dramatic Society), the White Room Creative Space and Welcoming Refugees in Crediton.

“We’re working with all these groups to ensure everyone has access to the workshops,” said Rosemary.

A full schedule and booking details will be widely publicised very soon through leaflets, posters, in the “Crediton Courier” and on the Crediton In and Around website.

The Crediton Heart Project was set up in 2018 to improve opportunities and facilities for people living in Crediton and the surrounding villages.

In 2020 the Project launched the Crediton In and Around community website.  The Project’s long-term ambition is to build a new Arts and Wellbeing Hub for the town.