TWO Crediton-based charities are celebrating after it was announced they are to receive substantial funding from Arts Council England.

The Turning Tides Project has been awarded £20,000 and Significant Seams CIC has been awarded £18,228, both for music-related projects.

The Turning Tides Project creates opportunities for people with “learning disability” or “autism” labels to make positive and valuable contributions in their community.

The TTP hopes to run a virtual Equal Access Festival in Crediton in September entitled “Out of the Box”.

Jane Williams, Managing Director, The Turning Tides Project CIC, explained: “The Out of the Box Festival , builds on our Out of the Box, virtual support: http://www.theturningtidesproject.org.uk/out-of-the-box.html .

“The festival will be live, on line, on September 29 and will showcase all the work we’re currently creating, and that includes:

• An original musical work  that tracks our journey through lockdown, with all its emotions, opportunities and frustrations

• A virtual Mural that will mirror the mural at the Tea Rooms

• 10 virtual, multi-sensory books each with their own theme

• A photographic exhibition and set of Blogs called Sofa Apart: http://www.theturningtidesproject.org.uk/blog .

“Curating the exhibition will provide virtual events management experience for a group of people with and without ‘learning disability’ or ‘autism’ labels.

“As always, everything we do is #inclusive – that means anyone can join in. We’d love people to take ‘Sofa Apart’ photos, contribute to the books or create a piece of the mural. Just give us a call on 01363 772512, send us an email at: [email protected] , take a look at the website or follow us on social media to find out more.”

Jane added thanks to Arts Council England and explained that it was hoped to re-create the Out of the Box Festival as a real festival next year.

She said she was pleased to say that the Station Tea Rooms at Crediton Railway Station, which The Turning Tides Project runs, would be re-opening to the public on Monday, August 3.

The TTP volunteers have also been making face masks #inclusively from upcycled fabric.  The cost is £6 each or two for £10, with a discount available on bulk orders. Use the above number or email address to get in touch.

SIGNIFICANT SEAMS

Significant Seams is an award winning social enterprise that uses textile and craft to build community and support people in vulnerable life moments.

It is grateful to Arts Council England for the funding, which will enable it to:

• Launch a new community quilt in response to Coronavirus

• Develop a network of textile projects working with communities for well-being related outcomes

• Develop models and guidance for arts for health delivery using textiles

• Support our partner artists during a financially and emotionally challenging period.

Visit online at: www.thequarantinequiltproject.org to find out more and get involved.

Find out more at: facebook.com/SignificantSeams and: facebook.com/groups/TheQuarantineQuiltProject/ .

The Quarantine Quilt Project is producing 10 quilts across the country with people creating Quarantine Quilts.

The funding will establish a textiles for well-being network, develop new online courses, and co-create a quilt. 

The project is asking people to submit three types of patches, details of which can be found on the website.

The project came about as the four lead artists - and friends - connected as their self employed work disappeared and they began to feel vulnerable.

This group includes Catherine West and Naomi Wright, both of Crediton.

They have seen an exponential growth in the need for their specialism - supporting people who are vulnerable. Significant Seams particularly works with people in mental health recovery and with carers. Others in the emerging network work with refugees, ex-offenders, homeless populations and those at high risk of homelessness.

They also work in diverse and deprived neighbourhoods, with children’s hospices, and museums, galleries, hospitals, libraries, and community centres.  

The project is being produced and delivered by Significant Seams CIC ( www.significantseams.org.uk ) with funding from Arts Council England, and commissioning from Devon Recovery Learning Community. Participation kits are being posted to shielding individuals with funding from Devon Community Foundation.

Significant Seams is an award-winning social enterprise that uses textiles and craft to build community and support people in vulnerable life moments.

Last year it led a project called “The Craft of Caring Mid-Devon”, engaging more than 200 carers in co-creating artworks that exhibited alongside works by eight professional artists.