Community managed library receives funding grant from National Lottery

Local volunteers at Holmcroft Community Managed Library in Stafford are celebrating after being awarded just over £16,000 in National Lottery funding.

The funding will be used to set up a Creative Wellbeing Café for adults with the aim of improving their mental health and wellbeing through social and creativity activities.

Friends of Holmcroft Library will use the money to run a two-year programme of regular weekly creative sessions facilitated by local artists.

Ruth Allen will be running the first of three artist residencies over the next 2 years and will be supporting participants in creative activities such as painting, lino print, sketching, collage and drawing.

The community-led creative café is run by volunteers, facilitated by local artists, steered by participants and supported by partners at Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Staffordshire Libraries Service.

The library became community managed in 2016 and is staffed by 16 volunteers who are passionate about supporting the needs of local people.

Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, said: “This funding is great news for the library and the people who use it, and we look forward to the sessions starting.

“The crafts sessions will help residents take time out from the daily stresses of life and make new friends, all while learning new skills and having fun.

“While enjoyable, the sessions will also help people gain greater confidence, self-belief and improved mental wellbeing.”

The funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will see the cafe expanded to weekly sessions, enabling a greater number of people to take part and making creativity a regular part of people’s lives.

Tanya Simcock, a founding member of the Friends of Holmcroft Library, said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

“Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to provide high quality regular creative experiences in a supportive and relaxed environment where people come together and make connections.

“We can already see the impact this has on people’s lives, it reduces loneliness, supports mental wellbeing and helps to build and strengthen social ties.”

One of the participants, Gemma, said: “Coming to the library has really helped me feel part of the community – and improved my wellbeing more than I ever expected.”