Residents at Mencap Cotton Fold Community Hub enjoy 10 week watercolour course

MENCAP Cotton Fold tenants, PCSO John Rochelle and support workers Hayley Conlon and Pam Patchett with their watercolours

Residents with learning difficulties who live in Mencap supported living at Mencap Cotton Fold Community Hub in Newbold have enjoyed a 10 week watercolour course after funding was secured for them to host the event.

The course, which was run by local artist Rose Leech, was held as a way to encourage and focus residents.

Support Worker Hayley Conlon who helped organise the event and secure the funding said: “It is hard to find funding these days and we have been lucky to get it.”

The funding was given to the organisation by the Kingsway Community First Panel who awarded the group £2,500 for various activities. Hayley added: “We do a variety of activities with the residents and have done things like arts and crafts which has also been popular.”

PCSO John Rochelle who is on the Kingsway Community First Panel said: “This has been a well deserving project to fund and it has been a pleasure to work alongside the dedicated staff from Mencap Cotton Fold who value and support their tenants to live independently on a daily basis.”

The community panel is made up of local people who share the vision of improving the community. The panel work to produce a community first plan and recommend projects and activities to be funded.

Artist Rose Leech volunteered her time to run the course with materials being funded by the community fund. “I have known Rose for a while and she offered to help out which was really good of her,” added Hayley.

Throughout its ten week run, residents enjoyed the activity and organisers have praised its success.

Hayley added: “The generosity of the Kingsway Community First Panel has created many exciting opportunities for our tenants to develop skills and confidence in their abilities. This has been essential in their health and well-being, encouraged cohesion and promoted a positive image of people with disabilities.”