Heart & Craft provides fortnightly art activities for the over 70s in eight communities across North Yorkshire, and is funded by Henry Smith Charity and The National Lottery Community Fund.
Throughout the project, members have the opportunity to explore a range of mediums through our friendly and relaxed activities. In the past we’ve explored drawing, jewellery making, fused glass techniques, ceramics, willow weaving, silk painting, printmaking and much more!
Through our new funding we have been able to expand the project further. This means the project is funded for three years until February 2026 and we have even more exciting additions to the project, including a specialist support worker, intergenerational activities, pop-up exhibitions and opportunities to explore other arts forms, such as music, dance and poetry.
Where to join in:
All Heart and Craft sessions are run twice a month at each venue until February 2026. New members are welcome to join if you are either:
- Over 70 years of age.
- Over 60 and under 70, but facing multiple disadvantages in life.
In year two of the project (February 2024) we will be looking for 8 additional village hall venues to join the project. If you are a member of a village hall committee in North Yorkshire outside of Hambleton, and would be interested in Heart and Craft, please get in touch with sorcha@ruralarts.org
Our Current Venues:
You can find all dates for workshops listed on our website here
Sessay Village Hall, (YO7 3NQ) Mondays, 10am-12pm
Contact Carole. T: 07443 583050, E: carolemtrow@btinternet.com.
Kilburn Institute, (YO61 4AH) Mondays, 2pm-4pm
Contact Julie H: jmharron@outlook.com
Dishforth Village Hall, (YO7 3JU) Tuesdays, 10am-12pm
Contact Anne S: annesturzy@btinternet.com
Husthwaite Village Hall, (YO61 4PF) Tuesdays, 2pm-4pm
Contact Lynn. T: 07810263346, E:the.coltons@hotmail.com
Borrowby Village Hall, (YO7 4QL) Wednesdays, 2pm-4pm
Contact Val S: val.117stephenson@btinternet.com
The Courthouse, Thirsk, (YO7 1QS) Thursdays, 10.30am-12.30pm
Contact Sorcha. T: 01845 526536, E:sorcha@ruralarts.org
Ampleforth Village Hall, (YO62 4DU) Thursdays, 2pm-4pm
Contact Lot D: cjdoucet@btinternet.com
Stillington Village Hall, (YO61 1JX) Thursdays, 2pm-4pm
Contact Yvonne M: yvonnem16@btinternet.com
Hear from our Heart & Crafters:
‘H’, an attendee of the Thirsk group, says…
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the silk painting yesterday. A whole new approach to art – I haven’t done anything as good in a long time! The tutor was excellent, very approachable and kind.
‘V’, venue leader for Borrowby, says…
Thank you again for this morning’s willow workshop – it was super! Everyone enjoyed it immensely and so appreciated the topical focus of stars. Thank you so much for the super organisation of these sessions!
‘T’, a recent attendee at Thirsk group, says…
Everyone was very impressed with my hippo – it has pride of place on my bookshelf! I want to keep my skills up. Thanks again – you’re doing a grand job!
‘Y’, venue leader for Stillington, says…
One member was so effusive about how good it was and the way things had been set out – she even requested a repeat session!
‘S’, a regular attendee at Thirsk and Borrowby, comments on her lockdown craft pack…
My craft pack was great to receive on a rainy day! Been collaging all afternoon and lost track of time – run out of glue! Great idea!
Funders
Heart and Craft in supported by the The National Lottery Community Fund and The Henry Smith Charity.
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes over £600m a year to communities across the UK, raised by players of The National Lottery. You can find out more at www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
The Henry Smith Charity is an independent grant making trust. We aim to use our resources to help people and communities at a time of need and to bring about positive change. You can find out more at www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk
