Why Is Henshaws Launching A Christmas Appeal?

As the days get shorter and there's a proper chill in the air, most people are reaching for the thermostat. But imagine having to keep a huge, bustling community space warm, not just for comfort, but for the health and wellbeing of the people who rely on it every single day. That’s the situation facing Henshaws, a brilliant charity in Yorkshire. They've just launched a crucial Christmas appeal to help keep their fantastic Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough warm, bright, and full of life this winter. The goal is a big one – £60,000 – and it's all about making sure the incredible people who use the centre can keep creating, laughing, and connecting through the festive season and beyond.

More than just an arts and crafts centre

It’s easy to hear ‘Arts and Crafts Centre’ and think of a place for weekend hobbies. But the Henshaws centre is so much more than that. It’s a place that provides essential day support for adults living with sight loss and a whole range of other disabilities. For the people who attend, known as Art Makers, this centre is a lifeline. It’s a place where they can escape isolation, build friendships, and discover talents they never knew they had. Think of it as a community hub where creativity is the key to building confidence and connection. The work done at the Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre is about empowering people with disabilities to live their best lives, and a huge part of that is having a safe, welcoming, and consistent environment to go to each day.

The big winter challenge

Everyone knows that energy bills have been a bit scary lately. Now, picture the cost of heating large workshop spaces – rooms for pottery, woodwork, and performing arts. It adds up fast. For Henshaws, this isn't just about comfort. Some of the Art Makers have health conditions that make it really important for their environment to stay at a warm and constant temperature. So, keeping the heating on is a matter of health and safety. On top of that, there's the cost of electricity. This powers everything from the kilns for the pottery to specialist equipment like hoists. It also keeps the bright lights on, which are absolutely essential for Art Makers who have visual impairments. Without proper lighting and heating, the centre simply can't provide the safe and supportive space its community needs. This is where the 12 Days of Giving campaign comes in. It’s a fundraising drive aimed at covering these fundamental costs, ensuring the centre can continue its amazing work without interruption.

A buzz of creativity in Knaresborough

The variety of activities at the centre is genuinely amazing. It’s a place where every Art Maker can find something that sparks their interest and unleashes their creativity. Flora Simpson, who is the fundraising development manager at Henshaws, explains it perfectly.

“Every day, our workshops buzz with creativity, laughter, and learning, but as the winter draws in, we need your support to ensure our spaces stay warm, welcoming, and full of light for our Art Makers.”

“Thanks to previous generous funding, our horticulture workshop was transformed with raised beds and other adaptations, making the outdoor space fully accessible for everyone. Now, we want to make sure all our workshops, from pottery and mosaics to textiles and performing arts, are cosy, safe, and bright throughout the colder months, so our Art Makers can continue creating, learning, and thriving.”

Just look at the range of workshops on offer at the Knaresborough centre:

• Woodwork
• Pottery
• Horticulture
• Performing Arts
• Music
• Mosaics
• Paper Crafts
• Printing
• Jewellery
• Multi-Sensory Activities

To keep these sessions running, the centre needs a constant supply of materials. We’re talking about everything from bags of clay for the pottery studio and tiles for mosaics to basics like paper, crayons, and paint. Every single workshop, whether it involves complex arts or simple paper crafts, depends on having the right tools and supplies, like easels and paintbrushes, ready for the Art Makers.

A community hub for everyone

What’s really special about the Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre is that its doors are open to everyone. It’s not a closed-off space; it’s a vibrant part of the local Knaresborough community. From Monday to Friday, anyone can pop in. There’s a lovely café, a shop filled with unique items made by the Art Makers, and even a peaceful woodland walk to enjoy. By welcoming the public, the centre fosters a brilliant sense of integration and shows off the incredible talents of the Art Makers. It also hosts some fantastic community events that have become local traditions. Ever heard of BedFest? Or the annual Beer Fest? Both happen right here. These events bring people together and turn the centre into a buzzing venue for the whole community, raising its profile and showing what a special place it is.

How to help keep the creativity flowing

This Christmas appeal is a chance for the local community to give back to a centre that gives so much. The fundraising target of £60,000 will go directly towards the things that keep the lights on and the studios warm. A donation could help buy a new set of crayons for the paper workshop, contribute to the electricity bill that powers the bright lights, or help purchase a bag of clay for a pottery project. It’s about more than just money; it’s about ensuring that this hub of creativity and connection can continue to support people with disabilities. The 12 Days of Giving campaign is a call to action for local businesses, groups, and individuals to help secure the future of these vital arts workshops. Every bit of support helps Henshaws continue providing its incredible day support, making sure the Art Makers have a Christmas filled with warmth, friendship, and endless creativity.