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A little a bit about us
A little a bit about us
I founded Art Craft & Laughter in 2017 with a simple vision: to use creativity as a way to bring people together, build confidence, and support mental wellbeing.
I founded Art Craft & Laughter in 2017 with a simple vision: to use creativity as a way to bring people together, build confidence, and support mental wellbeing.
What began as a small day service for adults with learning disabilities has since grown into a vibrant community hub in St Budeaux, Plymouth. Over the years, we’ve opened our doors to adults facing challenges such as mental health struggles, anxiety, isolation, and loneliness. In 2020, during the lockdown, we also became a Community Interest Company (CIC) to access funding and continue supporting those who needed us most.
What began as a small day service for adults with learning disabilities has since grown into a vibrant community hub in St Budeaux, Plymouth. Over the years, we’ve opened our doors to adults facing challenges such as mental health struggles, anxiety, isolation, and loneliness. In 2020, during the lockdown, we also became a Community Interest Company (CIC) to access funding and continue supporting those who needed us most.
At the heart of what we do is our welcoming studio – a safe and friendly environment where people can truly be themselves & breathe for a while. We know taking the first, scary & very brave step towards getting help is the hardest thing to do but time and again we’ve seen the transformation: within weeks, people relax, build confidence, and begin to look forward to their time with us.
At the heart of what we do is our welcoming studio – a safe and friendly environment where people can truly be themselves & breathe for a while. We know taking the first, scary & very brave step towards getting help is the hardest thing to do but time and again we’ve seen the transformation: within weeks, people relax, build confidence, and begin to look forward to their time with us.
We’re all about bringing people together – to chat, create, and share a good laugh. Whether it’s painting, crafting, or just having a cuppa in our cosy studio, the magic happens when everyone realises: hey, I’m not the only one going through this. Add in a sprinkle of peer support and a splash of creativity, and suddenly worries feel a little lighter, confidence starts to grow, and friendships bloom. Honestly, the difference it makes is nothing short of amazing!
We’re all about bringing people together – to chat, create, and share a good laugh. Whether it’s painting, crafting, or just having a cuppa in our cosy studio, the magic happens when everyone realises: hey, I’m not the only one going through this. Add in a sprinkle of peer support and a splash of creativity, and suddenly worries feel a little lighter, confidence starts to grow, and friendships bloom. Honestly, the difference it makes is nothing short of amazing!
Debbie Seldon
Founder
Our activities now include:
Our activities now include:
Daytime creative sessions - for women with mental health challenges
Day Service - for adults with learning disabilities/autism
Evening creative workshops - open to the wider community
Gardening group - that connect people with nature and each other
Beauty services - designed especially for those struggling with anxiety
Each activity we do is so much more than just a hobby – it’s a chance to make friends, beat loneliness, grow in confidence, and discover those little sparks of joy that make life brighter.
Looking ahead, our mission is to continue reaching out to more adults who feel so alone due to health, disability, or life circumstances. Too many people are crying out for support, but many organisations are stretched beyond capacity. We are determined to be the place that listens, welcomes, and makes a difference – through art, craft, laughter, and community.
Belonging - Support - Purpose
Meet The Team
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 Laughter 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 - Mental Health Outreach Worker
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
Meet Our Non-Executive Directors
Helen - Director
I’m one of the Directors of Art Craft & Laughter 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 an access art course that lead to me getting a B.A. Honers degree in Fine Art .
I met so 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. .
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