Heart and Craft
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.
Our Current Venues:
All our venues, except Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside & Beck Hole, are currently at capacity. Please email if you’d like to join the waiting list.
Rural Arts Thirsk (Thursdays 10.30am – 12.30pm)
Rural Arts, The Courthouse, 4 Westgate, Thirsk, YO7 1QS
Contact: amy@ruralarts.org
Sessay Village Hall (Mondays 10am – 12pm)
Sessay Village Hall, Sessay, Thirsk YO7 3BE
Contact: carolemtrow@btinternet.com
Dishforth Village Hall (Tuesdays 10am – 12pm)
Dishforth Village Hall, Dishforth YO7 3JU
Contact: annesturzy@btinternet.com
Husthwaite Village Hall (Tuesdays 2pm – 4pm)
Husthwaite Village Hall, Husthwaite, York YO61 4PF
Contact: the.coltons@hotmail.com
Kilburn Village Hall (Mondays 2pm – 4pm)
Kilburn Institute, Kilburn York YO614AH
Contact: jmharron@outlook.com
Ampleforth Village Hall (Thursdays 2pm – 4pm)
Ampleforth Village Hall, West End Ampleforth, YO62 4DU
Contact: jmharron@outlook.com
Stillington Village Hall (Thursdays 2pm – 4pm)
Stillington Village Hall, Stillington, York YO61 1JX
Contact: yvonnem16@btinternet.com
Borrowby Village Hall (Wednesdays 2pm – 4pm)
Borrowby Village Hall, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4QL
Contact: val.117stephenson@btinternet.com
Appleton Wiske Methodist Church (Mondays 1.30pm – 3.30pm)
Appleton Wiske Methodist Church 3 Front St, Appleton Wiske, Northallerton DL6 2AD
Contact: glenysaskew@icloud.com
Low Row Village Institute (Tuesdays 10am – 12pm)
Low Row Institute Low Row RICHMOND North Yorkshire DL11 6NA
Contact: rikandsheila@aol.com
Arkengarthdale St Marys Church (Tuesdays 2pm – 4pm)
St Mary’s Church, Arkengarthdale Rd, Reeth, Richmond DL11 6QT
Contact: jebethune@hotmail.com
Hudson House Reeth (Thursdays 2pm- 4pm)
Hudson House, Reeth, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL11 6TB
Contact: rdctransport@hudsonhouse.info
East Thirsk Community Hall (Thursdays 2pm- 4pm)
East Thirsk Community Hall, Hambleton Pl, Thirsk YO7 1DN
Contact: amy@ruralarts.org
Carers Plus Kirkbymoorside Library (Friday 2pm – 4pm)
Kirkbymoorside Library Church House, 7 High Market Pl, Kirkbymoorside, York YO62 6AT
Contact: louise.ennis@carersplus.net
Carers Plus Helmsley Sports Club (Fridays 10am – 12pm)
Helmsley Sports Club Helmsley, York YO62 5HT
Contact: louise.ennis@carersplus.net
Beck Hole Community Centre (Wednesdays 10am – 12pm)
Beck Hole, Community Centre, Cayton, Scarborough, YO11 3RQ
Contact: louise.ennis@carersplus.net
Hear from our Heart & Crafters:
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.
Our 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!
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!
Our 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!
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.ukAll our venues, except Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, and Beck Hole, are currently at capacity. Please email if you would like to join the waiting list.