Parliamentary praise for Calderdale arts project helping vulnerable children in the borough

Arts Drop, which uses social workers and other outreach teams to distribute activity packs to children and young people, has been highlighted by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Arts, Health and Wellbeing for its work in using creativity to support families during coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

The project is one of only five case studies – and the only one in the North – chosen to feature in a report by the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance on initiatives providing creative support to shielding and vulnerable people nationwide.

Arts Drop focuses on at-risk or looked after children, young carers and children with refugee and asylum seeker status.

It has reached more than 2,500 people since launching in May and the team says numbers are building.

Gilly Bryerley, managing director of the charity Creative Learning Guild (CLG), which co-ordinates the project, said they were “thrilled” to feature in the APPG report.

“It’s clear there is a much greater understanding of what creativity can do and how it can achieve something special and unique,” she added.

Victoria Hume, director of the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance, said: “These projects are creating vital space for people to express not just happiness but also frustration, fear, anger and to articulate the need for big changes in society.”