Arts Outreach

The Arts Society Saffron Walden has a long history of charitable support for local arts projects. We’ve done this in two main ways – by direct creation of arts projects and by giving financial help towards projects being undertaken by other arts organisations.

In recent years grants given have included Saffron Hall, Saffron Screen, the Museum, Bridge End Garden and The Fry Gallery. We have given direct support for primary school arts projects by providing materials and a qualified art teacher to carry out special art assignments with the children.

More recently we have concentrated on arts and crafts materials for elderly residents in care homes. This has proved to be very welcome and successful. We supply all the practical materials required for a particular project, e.g, making Christmas cards. We aim for something which is enjoyable and worthwhile for the participants. In some cases our committee and other members go into the care homes to help out and also chat and generally socialise with the residents. Our pattern is to produce materials for use in the autumn, generally focussing on Christmas and again in the spring sometimes focussing on Easter or some other important event, for example the Queen’s Jubilee in 2022 and the Coronation in 2023.

EASTER 2024 – CRAFT PROJECT

This photograph was sent from Humfrey Lodge, Thaxted, of residents, loved ones and staff creating Easter Bunting.

Craft packs were given to three care homes around Saffron Walden to make up decorative and fun Easter Banners. 

CHRISTMAS 2023 – CRAFT PROJECT

Happy Crafters at Humfrey Lodge Care Home in Thaxted creating handmade Christmas cards to give to family and friends from craft packs provided by the Saffron Walden Arts Society .  We also supported similar activities at Hatherley and Stanley Wilson Lodge Care Homes in Saffron Walden. 

CELEBRATING THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III 2023 – CRAFT PROJECT FOR CARE HOMES

Bunting made by residents of Stanley Wilson Lodge from the coronation packs provided by the Arts Society:

As part of our ongoing commitment to support arts projects locally, two of our members, Julie Ball and Collette Biggs  put together boxes of materials and everything needed to make bunting to commemorate and celebrate the coronation of our new King.

The materials include pre-cut flag shapes in red, white and blue, a variety of royal themed rubber stamps, including the insignia of King Charles, poster paints, dabbers to apply the colours, self-adhesive decorations and string to hang up the finished flags.

The boxes were delivered to three care homes, Stanley Wilson Lodge, Hatherley both in Saffron Walden and Humphrey Lodge in Thaxted.

PLATINUM JUBILEE PROJECT 2022