Doodle Chat CIC Fundraiser - Art Builds Community
Donation protected
My name is Edek Thompson, I'm a Leeds based community artist, founder and facilitator of Edek’s Doodle Chat. I have been facilitating community groups under the name of Edek’s Doodle Chat, voluntarily, for over two years. With support from a small group of volunteers and some great partner organisations, we have two well established groups in Armley and Hyde Park in Leeds, and are now opening a third at Thackray Museum of Medicine in Harehills.
Doodle Chat provides relaxed social groups for all to ‘doodle’ and ‘chat’. Safe spaces to talk and listen. The opportunity to be social and prioritise well-being. A place to connect and build community. Sessions are free, and all art materials provided, and where we can, free tea and coffee too. Doodle Chats have become an invaluable social and creative space for those who attend, and we regularly have around 60 people across the groups each week.
‘I attend Doodle Chat because I need support and friendship.’ Martin
‘Attending Doodle Chat has enabled me to become mentally healthier and to develop my art practice.’ Edgar
Edek’s Doodle Chat is now Doodle Chat CIC!
Being a Community Interest Company means: all profits will be invested into our community groups, and into creating more opportunities for everyone to engage in creative activities that support well-being, good mental health, and community cohesion.
This fundraiser is to support and build upon the incredible work that is already happening at Doodle Chat.
Right now we want to raise money to:
- Pay our facilitators for the sessions they run - approximately 15 hours of work a week. Our directors will always work voluntarily, and we have no shareholders, so all money raised will be used to support our community groups.
- Invest in our facilitators by being able to pay for training, such as Mental Health First Aid & Safeguarding. But, also training in fundraising and business management, in order to build sustainability and ensure success.
- Buy materials. We always make sure we have art materials that are free for everyone to use. Making art materials available makes creative pursuits more accessible and inclusive, and makes sure that art is for everyone!
- Support access to our sessions by being able to provide free bus tickets for those who need them.
- Pay for promotional materials such as posters, flyers, and online advertising, in order to reach a wider audience.
We believe that art builds community, your donation will help to lay the foundations.
THANKYOU
Edek and team Doodle!
@edeksdoodlechat @edekthompson
Organizer
Edek Thompson
Organizer
England