Spring 2022 Newsletter

News!

There have been some exciting changes to GAP over the last few weeks, which we are confident will enhance what we already deliver.

First we are so pleased to welcome Catherine and Maggs to the GAP team.

Maggs has joined us in the role of Project Co-ordinator, supporting GAP with its development and funding opportunities – amongst other things!

And Catherine has taken on the role of Support Worker – she will be working in all our arts for wellbeing sessions, alongside Clare or Elle, offering support to our participants.

Both Maggs and Catherine bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge and we aresure they will both be a great asset to our offer. We will share more about them in the next newsletter!

For many participants this will be a big change as Sonja will no longer be regularly attending sessions. Instead she will be stepping into a development role, with a focus on extending our reach and developing our provision for adults with learning disabilites and those with autism.

She will of course still be around and supporting Catherine through the transition.

Fundraising!

Spring Newsletter

GAP is funded by grants, donations and fundraising. Thank you to everyone who has supported us.

At the end of March we had a stall of our ‘GAP shop’ at the Friends of Victoria Hall Spring Fair. Huge thanks to our volunteers who helped out on the stall – through the sale of tombola tickets and art and craft pieces created by our wonderful participants we raised over £200!

We have also sold a large number of prints over the last 4 months, created by one of our fabulous volunteers. We are so proud and thrilled that so many people are enjoying these gorgeous works of art. These sales have also totalled over £200!

Please check out our facebook page ‘Glossop Arts Project Shop’ to see what we have for sale and support this fundraising part of our project.

Peak District map

Arts for Wellbeing!

We continue to deliver a number of sessions a week offering arts for wellbeing to adults and young people, with physical and mental health conditions.

Please see this page for more details about the sessions or contact us on info@glossopartsproject.org if you would like some leaflets or poster to display.

After Easter we will be exploring a theme of identity across all our sessions, which we think will lead to some interesting discussions and fabulous pieces of artwork. Among other things we will explore the works of Picasso, and end with an edible self-portrait!

Clubnight!

Our Club Night sessions for adults with additional needs are back at The Brook Tavern and it’s been great to meet up with old friends and make new friends too! We have a theme every month, and enjoy some dancing, chatting and singing along to some party tunes.

We meet the first Monday of the month, fun starts at 7pm, and the cost is £5 a head, with no charge for carers.

Club Night

Volunteer Focus: Martha

Martha

I am an eclectic Mexican who relocated to the UK almost a year ago. Married to an intriguing Mancunian who has lived in Glossop for more than 25 years. I have worked for more than 27 years mainly in the film and advertising industry. My job has made me develop a restless curiosity that ranges from travel to photography, arts, music, visiting museums, cultural events, and undertaking research. I also collect curiosities, dictionaries and rare books. I enjoy breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. An all flavours tea drinker and a bread eater!

I wanted to get to know more about the local culture and become part of the community. I researched online arts related alternatives and found GAP. When I browsed their webpage I immediately felt that I had to reach out to them. I was interviewed, and accepted to take part in the Arts for Wellbeing session conducted by Clare Isherwood, on Mondays, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. since September, 2021.

I enjoy volunteering at GAP because I have met interesting people from all walks of life that contribute and enrich every session with their creations, while socialising in a kind and relaxing atmosphere. I happily welcome them with an individually prepared brew and a sweet snack. I think that taking care about the details is important, even with the most simple actions. The rest of the session I try to support Clare by providing materials to the attendees when needed, and make sure they are feeling comfortable. Once the session ends, I will leave the place clean for the upcoming sessions. A rewarding opportunity that has made a difference in my life since I moved here, because I was welcome and felt integrated from the very first moment. That’s the magic of GAP founders and crew!