Slough CVS is holding art classes to help people get through the pandemic
ART is helping vulnerable adults overcome the pandemic, thanks to a charity based in Slough.
The Slough Council for Voluntary Service (Slough CVS), based on Church Street, implemented the Thriving Communities Project.
With support from the Thriving Communities Fund, the project has helped locals recover from the various lockdowns.
And last week, individuals participated in arts and crafts activities at the Art Club in the Observatory Mall.
Pictured from left to right: Andrea Sparrow from Art Beyond Belief, Kinder Bassi and Asma Aziz from Slough CVS and Dulcie Alexander from the National Academy for Social Prescription. Photo: Mike Swift
Art teacher Marinella Caldarus, who moderated the session, was impressed with her artists.
She said: “It’s amazing the stories we hear from people about how this course has changed their lives and changed my life as a teacher as well.”
Ms. Caldarus explained that this is a joint program where everyone involved benefits.
“Many people were referred by GPs or self-referred and some said we literally saved their lives,” she said.
“A user of the service told us, if there is another pandemic with lockdowns, now she knows what to do and that was good to hear as an art teacher.”
The class was seen chatting, laughing and socializing with everyone in good spirits.
And there was even a special visit from Dulcie Alexander, director of the Thriving Communities Fund, seconded to Arts Council England’s National Academy for Social Prescribe.
She said: ‘It was an incredible visit, hearing participants reflect on how the offer of social prescribing made them feel alive rather than existing.
“Finding newfound confidence and talents through creative pursuits that have been prescribed through support from a liaison worker or through self-referral via community connections through Slough.”
Ramesh Kukar, CEO of Slough CVS, said: “We are delighted to have received this funding through the Thriving Communities Fund to increase social connectivity in Slough.
“At the heart of Slough CVS is the desire to help Slough thrive and that has never been more important than now as we begin our recovery as a community from the COVID-19 pandemic, with more of our residents suffering from anxiety, depression, isolation and loneliness than ever before.