About us
A little a bit about us
Our aim is to offer a safe, inclusive & non-judgemental space where people can share and reflect on their difficulties and challenges. It enables people to talk to each other about their experiences and find a way to tackle their issues.
Our space gives people a sense of belonging and offers purpose to everyday life. Being around people helps them get out of their own heads for a while and give them a break from their fears and anxieties.
Communicating with others can help improve self-worth, gain a healthier mindset and a greater enjoyment of life. Also whilst finding a connection with the community.
It’s feeling connected to others, feeling accepted for who you are and feeling supported. Community is critical for us to survive.
Belonging - Support - Purpose
Meet The Team
Debbie - Founding Director
Mum to two & nana to three (nana’s lil nutters).
I am the project Manager / Facilitator for Art Craft Giggles CIC. I’m absolutely obsessed with anything to do with art & craft. In fact, anything creative. My passion grew after a long time suffering with mental illness. Art was my therapy & distraction. It still is to this day. I’m super proud of what our little studio has become. Breathing & belly laughs are essential in life….here we get to do them daily.
Strangely, when I get time to myself I like to escape to somewhere quirky & quiet, with a big pile of books in tow.
Charlie - Project Coordinator
I am a mother to 2 lovely little darlings and I love to do anything creative.
My role within the company is to work alongside Debbie (as her partner in crime :-) -facilitating sessions whilst supporting members of our community with their mental health using ‘Art as Therapy.’
The CIC's name fits perfectly to what we do, a little birdie may have told us that “you hear the laughter before you enter our studio”.
Laughter is infectious, even through our toughest times.
100% of our leadership have lived experience of mental health issues.
Meet Our Non-Executive Directors
Helen - Director
I’m one of the Directors of Art Craft & Giggles CIC and have been involved since the day it was founded. I first joined when I was struggling with my mental health….and never left!
You will always find me with knitting. It’s joked that I have a wool addiction, but since I’m surrounded by fellow crafters and enablers, I’m in the right place.
Crafting gives me purpose and escape, but it’s the people in the studio with their laughter stories and jokes that give me acceptance and joy.
Out of the studio I love reading, gardening and cuddling my rescue dog Riley.
Alison - Director
I’m a mum of four and a super proud Nana to two baby Dinosaurs or Spidermen depending on the day!!
I met the slightly crazy Debbie at the start of our mental health journey together at a Pottery course many moons ago.
An amazing lively tutor called Mel got us so absorbed with art she encouraged us both to go on a access art course that lead to me getting a B.A. Hones degree in Fine Art .
I met soo many amazing and completely barmy people on the way ,they made my own mental health issues become normalised so it’s no longer a barrier but just a part of who I am.
Debs went on to form this wonderful group and she is bonkers enough to have made me a Director lol.
I am the one in the group looking in all the boxes and experimenting with anything I can find. II like to express my self in lets say 'energetic 'art and am always happy to give new things a go. .