By the Making Our Money Go Further team
Neelam went to visit the group as a request was made for more funding for the Art Group activity. We discussed this and the group expressed they would like some more art supplies for the art group Neelam initially helped set up. They have so far spent around £85 on their supplies and requested if they could spend up to the £150 mark, which was approved.
The Art Group showed me the art they have been doing which has been lead by another resident who has background in creating animations etc. Not only does this group help residents save money, as they feel they get to do a leisure activity but also that it helps with their mental health. The group really enjoy this and explained how drawing has helped them. Mark said it helped him relax and bought joy to him that he could lead a class where he could teach others how to draw. The other residents showed Neelam their drawings and said they felt happy and proud of themselves as they have learnt a lot and also implemented their learning into their drawings. They said they hope to continue this group for as long as possible and don’t intend on stopping the group. Neelam explained that Rotherfed were happy to pay for their supplies again but that they should also start thinking of putting some money in a pot every week to ensure they have money for supplies to ensure the Art group continues and is self-funding. They all agreed they would need to do something like this so that it wasn’t a financial burden on anyone when it came to buying supplies again.
