“WE KNEW THE PROJECTS WOULD WORK BECAUSE THEY’RE BEING DELIVERED BY A TRUSTED ORGANISATION”

John Lyon’s Charity (JLC), a grantmaker transforming the lives of young people by creating opportunities to learn, grow and develop through education, has supported Create’s work since 2013. Since then, with funding secured from JLC, Create launched changing:minds and community:matters,  reaching numerous disabled young people,  young carers and refugees in the funder’s priority geographical areas.

We spoke to Anna Hoddinott, Director of Communications & Strategic Grants at John Lyon’s Charity, about this valuable long-term partnership.

Create has a passion for interrogating its work and striving to be the best that it can be, combining diverse artforms, passion, drive, high-quality practitioners and rigorous evaluation all in one place. If a funder wants to fund really high-quality projects, then Create gives a lot of options.

Anna Hoddinott

Why did john lyon’s charity decide to start supporting create?

“There’s a lot of synergy between JLC’s values and those of Create. Create strives to evolve constantly, develop and hone its offerings. We see the value in Create’s approach and methodology; projects cross a multitude of different artforms and can be adapted to various audiences with various needs.”

WHY did you choose create to co-design programmes, changing:minds and community:matters?

“We have known Create for a considerable amount of time, which has enabled us as funders to believe in its ability to have the right impact and outcomes. Create’s openness and flexibility to develop programmes targeting priority groups and locations for JLC, made the charity an ideal partner. This flexibility put Create in a really strong position to secure funding for new projects: we knew the projects would work because they’re being delivered by a trusted organisation.”

Why do you think create’s work impacts the lives of children and young people?

“The positive impact starts from the beginning. Participants can choose the artform that most resonates with them, giving them agency over their experience. This element of co-creation is really empowering and gives a greater impact because participants know that they are taking part in something that they have chosen to do.

“It’s really important that the participants are not delivered to, but delivered with. That really comes across with the work that Create does; participants are encouraged to find their own way through projects, while being supported to engage as much as they are able. The projects I have visited are always really engaging for the participants. All of the young people seem to be really enthusiastic.

“On the whole, the impact on participants is huge. And not just in the moment, but also long after the end of the project, instilling confidence, a sense of wellbeing and all the positivity that engaging in arts projects can bring.”

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATIVITY?

“Creativity is fundamentally important for everybody. I think it’s important that creative arts are included in school curriculums, but they are so often overlooked in favour of more academic subjects. Having access to creativity and cultural capital can boost everybody’s mental wellbeing, helping people thrive emotionally, professionally, and in relationships. Creativity gives a mirror to see yourself reflected and a window to view the world through different perspectives. Being able to access creativity leads to a really well-rounded society with really healthy and grounded people within it.”

if another organisation was considering supporting create, what would you say to them?

“Do it! It’s difficult to find organisations that deliver such a range of activities, specialising in working with so many different participant groups, with such quality. Create has a passion for interrogating its work and striving to be the best that it can be, combining diverse artforms, passion, drive, high-quality practitioners and rigorous evaluation all in one place. If a funder wants to fund really high-quality projects, then Create gives a lot of options.”

Reed Smith: “Create is a fantastic organisation and you seem to be getting better and better”

We have been working with Reed Smith since 2008, running creative arts projects together across London. Currently, our work focuses on adult carers and adults with mental ill health.

As a corporate partner, Reed Smith not only funds these projects but also sends volunteers to take part, benefiting both the participants and Reed Smith staff.

Here we chat to Carole Mehigan (pictured above), Responsible Business Manager EMEA at global law firm Reed Smith, about the value of these projects to the organisation and participants.

“Putting a sprinkle of creativity in people’s professional lives helps them to develop as a person and helps them to realise that there’s more to them than just their professionalism.”

Caroline Mehigan, Reed Smith

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PROJECT WITH CREATE?

I started working with Create on a project called creative:u~turn, which supported vulnerable women within the community in and around Bethnal Green. It resonated with us because it was such a sensitive area, focused on women who had gone through a huge amount of trauma. It was a lovely way to connect with women who felt completely isolated, traumatised, and unsure where they fit in the community. We saw them develop and, as they got used to our volunteers, their confidence started to grow, and they started to connect with the volunteers.

WHICH PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?

I wanted to find projects where we could have both male and female volunteers attend. We decided to support adult carers. It was a really good opportunity for all our volunteers to get involved, it was local, and it was working with people who give so much of their time to others – whether family members, or friends – and they just don’t have enough time for themselves. That’s taken off really well, and we’ve been working with that particular centre for a number of years now.

Recently Create wanted to partner with a MIND centre. Mental health is a very big thing within our firm. We have a mental health task force. Even before the pandemic, we were keen on making sure people understood how to look after their mental health and wellbeing. So when the project came along, and we were able to sign up for that, it was kind of a no-brainer.

HOW DOES VOLUNTEERING ON CREATE PROJECTS HELP REED SMITH’S STAFF?

Coming from the corporate world, being very professional about everything, then to find that you have a creative side to you, and to see that in the form of something you’ve made, and to see the benefit you provide to the project, and the results that come out of that, the volunteers are very proud of that. And they should be, because they have contributed to that end result, not just for themselves but for the participants as well. It’s good to see our volunteers proud of what they’ve done, what they’ve accomplished outside their comfort zone. They also get to meet people they wouldn’t get to meet in normal circumstances.

When you put an added bit of creativity into the skill-based staff, it helps that person to develop even more. For me, putting a sprinkle of creativity in people’s professional lives helps them to develop as a person and helps them to realise that there’s more to them than just their professionalism. Creative people can be very innovative, they can look at a bigger picture. Rather than just seeing black and white, they can see the grey areas.

“Businesses put a lot of emphasis on professionalism – but we need to look after our staff. What better way to do that than doing something creative?”

Carole Mehigan, Reed Smith

HOW DO YOU MARK THE END OF A PROJECT?

I thought it would be a nice end to the project to make the adult carers feel special for few hours, a bit like they’re royalty or celebrities. So we decided to host an event in our London office over a couple of hours.

I organised taxis to pick up the adult carers from the centre, they were dropped off outside our building, then bought into one of our conference rooms. Create brings some of the project work so they can see a display of their work and take it home with them as well. I organise a lunch, and we sometimes have a kind of cinema performance, where we show on screen what the activity was. And then I say a few words, Create says a few words, and the centre manager might do that as well. And then we give them certificates and gifts. Taxis then take them back to the centre.

WHAT DOES BEING CREATIVE MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY?

Reading was my big thing when I was a kid. I love reading and I love writing. When I’ve gone through various traumas, I found writing a really good way to express myself. I’ve always loved dancing. I’ve danced since I was able to walk and talk. I take part in a massive global dance called Ceroc. It helps your mind, body, soul, the whole thing. Also singing – I found singing later in life. I started singing with the Reed Smith choir when we put on Christmas concerts. That then got me involved with a local choir.

That helps me release tension, relax, forget about my mental illnesses. The dancing, the singing and the writing have helped. I’ve gone back to knitting as well. Last year I got re-diagnosed with bipolar depression, complex PTSD, severe anxiety and OCD, which is a large amount of stuff to be dealing with in one go. I had a mental breakdown last year. I ended up in the Priory psychiatric unit for five weeks. Coming back out, getting back into the work I do, and in particular the creative stuff, has really helped me. Continuing with our creative projects is something I really want to make sure we do in the firm because I know personally how beneficial it can be.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE THINKING OF BECOMING A CORPORATE PARTNER WITH CREATE?

I would encourage them to do it. Working with Create you have such an expansive and wide variety of support that you lend to the community. There are lots of different opportunities that can align with corporate partners who are looking at particular areas that they can help within the community.

You work with young people right across the board to elderly people. Your projects are amazing. Your artists are incredible, the way they bring stuff out of people, whether it’s the participants or the volunteers. Create is a fantastic organisation and every year you seem to be getting better and better. It has been amazing to watch your growth and the amount of support you’re providing to the wider community.

I really think that as a corporate organisation, we put a lot of emphasis on our professionalism and our jobs, but we need to look after our staff, and what better way to do that than doing something creative?

First Sentier Investors: “Create are one of the best partners we work with”

We launched our partnership with First Sentier Investors (FSI) in 2018, an investment firm based in the City of London. Through the partnership, FSI has funded projects and sent volunteers to support our team in workshops, both in-venue and online.

Here we chat to Adrian Hilderly and Sarah Mahomed Ross (pictured), both on the Charity Committee, about their experiences of partnering with us, and the value of creativity to them and their organisation.

Why did the first sentier investors team choose to partner with us?

Adrian: We felt a strong cultural affinity with Create. We’re very much about sustainability and being responsible members of our community. Partnering with Create, which does good work in the local community, was really important to us. We were also thinking about how we could develop our volunteering programme.

Sarah: The way Create touches lots of different parts of society was really important, because that resonates with our employees. Through the volunteering and the programmes we’ve funded, we’ve worked with people from all different walks of life, different age groups, different abilities. And everyone at First Sentier can relate to one or more of those groups. So that’s been really important.

CAN YOU GIVE US A FLAVOUR OF THE EXPERIENCES YOU’VE HAD VOLUNTEERING ON CREATE PROJECTS?

Sarah: The projects have been very varied. One was with a group of older people at Chamberlain House in West London. Then I’ve been to JFK Special School in East London – there was an amazing energy there. And I’ve been a volunteer over the last year with young and adult carers. It has been a really positive experience. I’ve met people I would never have met, which has been really enriching.

Adrian: I did one in North London, with a group of carers. It was brilliant. Now we’re doing a photography project. What was really impressive is that, of the charities and organisations we partner with, Create was by far the quickest and most efficient at moving to remote sessions during the pandemic. It was really impressive how quickly the team adapted and were able to move forward.

“The Create team works with you to create a targeted, bespoke programme to put your funding to work in the areas where it can make the greatest difference, and to help co-ordinate meaningful opportunities for volunteering.”

Sarah Mahomed Ross, First Sentier Investors

WHY IS CHARITY VOLUNTEERING IMPORTANT FOR First Sentier Investors?

Adrian: It’s fundamental to what we do. We’re trying to make volunteering part of our day-to-day. We have a set of values around care and community, and we’re trying to build how we define that. Part of the core of what we do is responsible investing. We like to invest in companies that share our long-term ethos. Volunteering is definitely part of that. How can you present those values if you’re not actively doing it yourself?

Sarah: Partnering with organisations such as Create gives our employees the chance to try volunteering, if they’ve never done it before, in an organised way. We get pretty much wholly positive feedback. And we have quite a generous annual volunteering leave now – three days per person.

HOW DOES IT BENEFIT YOUR ORGANISATION FOR STAFF TO VOLUNTEER?

Sarah: It’s very different from what we’re doing day to day. You’re working with people you might not meet, you’re learning different skills. You’re seeing things from a different perspective, as well as hopefully giving something back.

Adrian: It’s important for each of us and our firm to understand the world outside our little bubble. I’m sure it makes people we work with a little bit more rounded and our firm a bit more rounded too. Volunteering takes us out of our comfort zone in a good way. You’re meeting people you’ve never met before, doing something completely different to what you do. It’s good to challenge ourselves.

IS CREATIVITY IMPORTANT FOR YOU PERSONALLY?

Sarah: I’ve been knitting and crafting since I was a kid, and I painted for many years. I think creativity is really important. There needs to be a mix of that, even in financial services; we need to be creative thinkers. And also from a wellbeing perspective: for me, having the time to do some sewing or knitting in the lockdown, it just quietens my mind. You can see, having taken part in Create projects, how important that is, to have that respite.

“Of the charities and organisations we partner with, Create was by far the quickest and most efficient at moving to remote sessions during the pandemic. It was really impressive.”

Adrian Hilderly, First Sentier Investors

OVERALL, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF First Sentier Investors’ PARTNERSHIP WITH CREATE?

Sarah: It’s a fantastic partnership. The way the funding is deployed, and the programmes are devised, there’s obviously a lot of work behind that to match what we’re funding, and to align it with investing in the community. I’m really pleased that I’ve been able to be a part of it over the last couple of years.

Adrian: I totally agree. Create is one of the best partners we work with. They’re really easy to work with, and they drive the agenda. It makes it very easy for us, because you’re clear about what your objectives are. Not everyone’s like that. And then you deliver on what you say you’re going to do. So when we check back to see if last year worked, we’ve got good evidence to prove that, and the evaluations you send through to us are great for us internally.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING PARTNERING WITH CREATE?

Sarah: I would definitely recommend Create as a charity partner. It does so much good work in many areas of our society, supporting disadvantaged groups and individuals. The team takes the time to work with you to create a targeted, bespoke programme to put your funding to work in the areas where it can make the greatest difference, and to help co-ordinate meaningful opportunities for volunteering. We really enjoy working together and look forward to our future collaboration.

Lauren Dickinson Clarke: “BEING CREATIVE IS THERAPEUTIC”

Lauren Dickinson Clarke is an English artist and designer who creates beautiful and whimsical homewares. Here she gives us an insight into her work, the importance of creativity in her life, and why she has chosen to support Create with a monthly gift.

Tell us about you and your work. How and when did you start making your pieces?

All of our designs start with an ink illustration, I try to design objects that elevate everyday interactions into fun and artistic experiences. I have been drawing and designing all my life but I launched the ‘LDC’ brand about four years ago and I have to say, I have loved every minute of it!

Which design did you come up with first?

My first design was ‘The Creation of Madam’ (pictured below) and it’s still one of my personal favourites. I drew it after a holiday to Rome when I was totally awestruck by Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’. I drew a version for fun which replaced God’s and Adam’s hands with the hands of elegant women. But I fell in love with the concept so much that I ended up applying the design to everything from plates and mugs to wall coverings!

Did it always start out as a business idea?

I’m an artist at heart but I knew that I wanted to build a brand which allowed me to share my values and passions with others. I suppose in a way, the emphasis for me was always more on wanting to build a community with those who love art, craftsmanship and are seeking new ways to express themselves.

Which is the most popular item that you sell?

Definitely ‘The Provocateur’ scented candle (pictured). We regularly have around 100 people on the waiting list for her and she just never seems to hang around long enough!

How important is creativity and art to you on a personal level?

I would say it’s as fundamental to living for me as eating is. The act of creating is therapeutic, soul soothing, challenging and encourages you to find creative solutions to problems, which can also be incredibly useful in everyday life.

How does being creative affect your sense of wellbeing?

I know that when I stop being creative for any period of time, it sends me off kilter. I think that drawing, painting and sculpting can almost be forms of meditation. It forces you to be entirely in the moment and focused but also very free in your mind and open to new ideas.

Has it always been part of your life?

Yes it has. At a very young age I was drawing, painting or making little clothes for my teddies. After school it momentarily became less present in my life because I went on to study biology and chemistry at college rather than art. But after a few months, I realised that I had made the wrong decision so I swiftly changed direction!

When and how did you first hear about Create?

I heard about Create through a friend who told me about the amazing and creative work that they do with vulnerable and isolated people. This is a matter which is close to my heart and so I immediately did some digging to find out more.

Why do you think Create’s work is important?

Engaging in a creative activity not only provides a mental and emotional escape but it can also give a voice to those who feel as though they aren’t heard. Young carers, for example, who possibly feel as though their choices in life are limited, are able to develop new passions and skills, which build their confidence and hopefully allow them to seek new opportunities.

Why have you chosen to partner with us?

Having attended Create’s creative workshops, I have seen first-hand just how uplifting and meaningful they are for those who take part. The recent pandemic has further highlighted the importance of supporting those who are isolated. It’s very possible that more people are struggling with loneliness and isolation than ever before and I think everybody has a duty to help and support those who need it.

What would you say to someone who was considering donating to Create or partnering with us?

Please do it! Create offers a much-needed lifeline to many in the form of community, creativity and support. Create is run by creative, compassionate and caring people who are incredibly driven to improve the lives of young carers, isolated individuals and many others who truly need a helping hand.

Follow Lauren’s example and give Create a monthly gift. Use the form below or click here.