Towner Eastbourne offers creative kit bags to the vulnerable

Joe Hill, director, Towner Eastbourne, said: “The lockdown has impacted us all – none more so than those in our community who have recently become unemployed, are surviving on low incomes or who are in long-term isolation.

“Over 7,000 children in Eastbourne are living in poverty.

“That’s almost 20 per cent of our town’s young people.

“Requests for help from food banks and community organisations have increased dramatically in recent weeks.

“We are directly helping those who are being hardest hit by providing vulnerable families with creative kit bags of art materials and activities to encourage everyone to get creative at home.

“As the word spreads, we are getting more requests for help.

“So we are making additional bags and getting them out as soon as we can.

“Filled with sketchbooks, drawing equipment and coloured pencils, the kit bags also include ideas for inspiration and relaxation – to help make life just a little bit better during this difficult time.

“We have also included a blank postage-paid postcard for people to share with us what they have made.

“We have already distributed hundreds of bags through our partners: Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastbourne Food Bank and local community organisation Community Stuff, who are all providing a lifeline to vulnerable households.

“We are also delivering kits to carers of loved ones through the Association of Carers and to refugees and asylum seekers through Eastbourne NetworX.

“We all know how important creativity is to health and wellbeing.”

They are calling for support.

“If you are able to make a gift, no matter the size, we would be incredibly grateful.”

Esther Collins, head of learning, Towner Eastbourne, added: “Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastbourne Food Bank and Community Stuff are providing a lifeline to vulnerable households, ensuring that help is delivered to those most in need.

“While they are working hard to provide essential food and other essential items, Towner Eastbourne is pleased to be able to join forces with these groups and provide creative kit bags – filled with sketchbooks, drawing equipment and brightly coloured pencils.”

Towner are also working on free online activities for all.

Under the tagline #makeshiftstudio and on the Instagram page @hello_towner, Towner’s team have been posting out a simple task or challenge each week, inspired each week by one of the 5,000 works in the gallery’s Collection.

“Each is designed to be possible with a range of basic household objects and materials: things you might have in the house already without having to go out to an art shop or search further than your own domestic setting to locate.

“So far makers have created tents, flags and other creations from materials as varied as rugs, skateboards and balloons.”

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