Visual arts charity Aspex Portsmouth has launched a new fundraising campaign this May 2023 to support the future of its cherished community arts project, Generate.
Generate is a free inclusive arts programme designed to support people with dementia and their carers. Led by artists Abi Wheeler and Roy Eneas, the programme delivers weekly visual arts workshops at Aspex Portsmouth, and encourages participants to follow their own creative interests and find the techniques, materials and subject matter that inspires them in a comfortable, supportive art space.
Generate specifically focuses on people with dementia still living in the community, and those that have a diagnosis of dementia but still live at home with family in the Portsmouth area. For these people there is a risk of isolation and a need to develop social connections. Carers in particular find themselves staying at home due to caring responsibilities and have a much restricted social life, which can often lead to low levels of well-being and depression. Generate enables people who are affected by low mood and often decreasing confidence and self esteem, the opportunity to form part of a welcoming and inclusive group. In addition to workshops, the programme also delivers a self-run carers support group which provides a much needed respite for carers and loved ones, and the chance to talk and share with others who understand and empathise with their situation.
The crowdfunding campaign will aim to raise £10,000, which will help to support the ongoing delivery and development of the Generate project. As a vital lifeline for its participants, carers and families, Generate is the only provision of its kind for the people of Portsmouth, and Aspex is calling on the generous support of its friends, local community, and beyond to help continue the important legacy of the Generate project and spread the word of the crowdfunder campaign.
Generate participant Barbara Bessant first joined the group in 2016 having never participated in an arts activity before. Beginning with simple drawing and colouring-in tasks, she quickly developed a love of painting and it wasn’t long before she was producing large-scale oil paintings every week. Since joining the project, Barbara’s six-monthly check-ups at the Memory Clinic have shown an improvement in her condition – and it is her involvement in this project that she cites as being responsible for this change.
On her involvement in the project, Barbara said: “I look forward to coming to Generate because Fridays are a wonderful place. I can meet some lovely people, particularly Abi and Roy who have helped me all the way through this project. I wouldn’t be anywhere else without this, it’s my release, it’s my passion and it’s my joy of everything.”
Generate facilitator Abi Wheeler said: “The Generate project provides a crucial safe, art-focused space for people with dementia to continue to develop independence in their creative art work.
As facilitators, myself and Roy have been able to witness first hand the increase in self confidence of the participants, and we understand the value Generate brings in offering an escape from the worries and confusion that dementia can often bring. We desperately need help from the local community in raising funds to ensure we can continue delivering this important project and support our wonderful Generate family.”
The Generate Crowdfunder campaign will end at 18:00 pm on Wednesday 14 June 2023. As part of the campaign, Aspex Portsmouth will be offering generous donors a series of rewards created by the Generate artists.
Aspex Director Jo Bushnell said: “From the whole team at Aspex Portsmouth – our artists, volunteers, staff, and trustees – we are so proud of the positive impact Generate has had over the years, and hope that the community can get behind us to continue this vital work.”
You can donate to the campaign here.
