This campaign has now closed
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village offers inspiring and innovative ways to transform lives through art including: young offenders; prisoners; those with learning and physical disabilities; those with poor mental health, drug or alcohol addiction; and those suffering domestic abuse.
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Beneficiaries
Situation
Surrey is a county of stark inequalities. Affluent areas mask communities who are struggling with child poverty, unemployment, isolated older people, and low income and lone parent households. For example Westborough, which is four miles from Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village, is in the 17% most income deprived in England. Its education score is in the worst 4% in the country. The life expectancy of children born in this area of Guildford is up to ten years less than in other areas of the town.
Solution
Our Learning Programme is designed to widen access and increase opportunities for these communities. It enables people to learn new skills, gain a qualification, make and sell their work as part of a social enterprise, and develop a sense of belonging leading to active participation. In addition, we also offer free admission and bursary places, and encourage them to join our volunteer programme working alongside our learning, curatorial, gardening and visitor services teams.