With a grant from the Cornish Lithium Fund, St Dennis Art Group gives members a chance to paint and draw in an informal setting

By holding art sessions for those in the community, St Dennis Art Group are helping attendees improve their wellbeing. 

The benefits of being creative outlets on mental health are well documented. St Dennis Art Group help people access these benefits by running weekly creative sessions. 

In November 2023, St Dennis Art Group were awarded £689.36 from the Cornish Lithium FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions.. Using these funds, the group were able to offer four free evening sessions. 

22 people joined the four evening sessions, with attendees reporting a sense of wellbeing and achievement after their time ‘doing art’. 

These weekly art sessions are a lifeline for many attendees who are carers, widows, or suffer long term health problems. Members look forward to weekly sessions and find they have a lasting benefit on their mental health. 

One attendee had found it difficult to make new friends before attending. A recent widower, she had nursed her late husband for many years. 

Now, having attended the evening sessions, she has joined the daytime group. As a result, she feels more part of the village community and has new friends. She also said that spending time being creative has given her days more purpose and happiness.  

The Cornish Lithium Community Fund has been running since 2022 and has awarded over £50,000 to 30 different community groups. The fund was set up by Cornish Lithium to support the work of local clubs, charities and activity groups that seek to make a positive difference in the company’s projectA piece of work that delivers an output. areas, which now include Blackwater, Carharrack, Chacewater, Gwennap, St Agnes, St Day, Twelveheads and China Clay Country around St Austell. 

Funding location: The Cornish Lithium Community Fund has been established to support the work of community groups who seek to make a positive difference in the following geographical areas: Gwennap Parish Council, Chacewater Parish Council, St. Day Parish Council, Carharrack Parish Council, St Agnes Parish Council (Blackwater), Redruth North Parish Ward, Wheal Rose Parish Ward and Kea Baldhu Ward. China Clay Community Network area: Luxulyan, Roche, St Dennis, St Enoder, St Stephen in Brannel and Treverbyn. 

This is one of more than 12 Community Benefit Funds managed by Cornwall Community Foundation. 

For more information about St Dennis Art Group, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/500465933618619/

If you are a community group looking for funding, please view our available grants. 

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