Huddersfield-based charity, hoot creative arts, has received an increase in funding to continue offering mental health support to Kirklees residents.
The charity was successful in applying for National Portfolio Organisation status as part of Arts Council England’s 2023-2026 Investment Programme focused on bringing creativity and culture to villages, towns and cities across the country.
Hoot creative arts run a programme of free creative workshops for adults to help to support mental health and wellbeing, specialist activities for people living with dementia, a Creative Space drop in for young people accessing the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and the charity is the Health and Wellbeing lead for the Kirklees Year of Music 2023 initiative.
Gavin Clayton, CEO of hoot creative arts, said: “Over the years the team has worked hard to deliver activities to Kirklees residents that help people to look after their health and wellbeing, particularly in the last three years during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’re excited to be delivering more opportunities for people to get involved with music as part of Year of Music 2023 as well as developing our programmes for young people, people with learning disabilities, and people living in care homes.
“This funding from Arts Council England will allow us to expand further and consolidate projects and partnerships developed during the pandemic so that more people can discover how being creative makes us feel good and how it benefits our mental health and wellbeing.”
The funding will see the charity increase its staff team to support the new projects and workshops on offer in Kirklees and further afield with roles being advertised in the New Year.
Hoot is also welcoming Expressions of Interest from people interested in becoming a trustee for the charity.
Other Kirklees based organisations that were successful in receiving funding include Chol International Arts, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Kirklees Museums and Galleries, Kirklees Theatre Trust, Mikron Theatre Company, Shabang! Inclusive Learning and West Yorkshire Print Workshop.
