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Over £2000 raised this year by our Co-op Community Fund!

  • Oct 31
  • 1 min read
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We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated to our Co-op community fund. We've received a total of £2066.05, thanks to generous donations from Co-op Members!


As a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company, led by volunteers, we really appreciate your support and donations. Your donations help us to keep providing a creative space where the Herne Bay community can come to take part in free exhibitions and events as well as creative workshops, courses and classes.


But Beach Creative is much, much more than a creative community hub. We offer everyone a safe place to learn, socialise and fulfil their creative potential. As well as the wider community, we are home to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our neighbourhood, giving them an outlet and the chance to feel valued and supported. People with dementia, young adults with learning disabilities and women’s groups are just some of the people who make use of our space. 


The sense of achievement, emotional and psychological wellbeing, and self-esteem they gain from Beach Creative’s programme transforms their lives. Our education projects and workshops bring people together and give them access to skills they didn’t know they had.


We also support Kent’s creative industries by giving upcoming artists and makers an affordable start on their journey, and their more established peers a place to create, promote and sell their work. We already do so much – but we could do so much more. 


Thanks again from everyone at Beach Creative!

 
 
 

Solar Panels at Beach Creative supported by The Veolia Environmental Trust

  • Jun 13
  • 2 min read

We are very happy to share that the installation of Solar Panels has begun at Beach Creative!


The Veolia Environmental Trust has funded Beach Creative CIC with £18,720 for this solar panel installation project. This is one of a number of initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint in line with our Environmental Policy and our commitment to caring for our planet and people.


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It was important to us at Beach Creative to choose and support a local contractor and we are very pleased to be working with Solar Specialists Ltd who have earned an excellent reputation in our local area as a professional, expert Solar company.



The solar panel installation is part of a larger integrated improvement plan that includes upgrading our electrical system, installing new radiators, and converting the loft space with Velux windows.


We, at Beach Creative, are delighted and grateful to have this opportunity to significantly improve our carbon footprint and become a visible advocate for embracing green energy and environmental care within our community. We thank Veolia Environmental Trust from the bottom of our hearts for the funding they have provided.’

Dr Gillian Wilson, Director of Strategy, Education and Outreach at Beach Creative


This initiative comes at an important time, as Beach Creative currently faces annual energy

costs of £14,509, representing 12% of our income, limiting our capacity to deliver important

community services. The energy cost savings achieved will be redirected to support community programmes serving disadvantaged residents.

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The Veolia Environmental Trust has been supporting environmental projects through the Landfill Communities Fund since 1997. To date, it has distributed over £109 million, funding more than 2,843 grants for projects ranging from community initiatives to nature reserves.


The Veolia Environmental Trust is proud to support Beach Creative CIC's innovative project, which demonstrates their commitment to environmental responsibility while enhancing their capacity to be a cornerstone for community support. We hope that the grant will deliver long term impacts for residents in Herne Bay, inspiring social and environmental wellbeing now and in the future.

Andrew Brown, Executive Director of the Veolia Environmental Trust


For more information about Veolia Environmental Trust, please visit www.veoliatrust.org.



 
 
 

Beach Creative research Bison and Butterflies for Carnival of the Animals

  • Apr 14
  • 2 min read

Over the last few weeks we have been busy getting stuck in with preparations for our Carnival of the Animals project inspired by THE HERDS, supported by Art Fund.


Wendy Chandler researching for the life sized bison puppet (left) / On tour with Bison Ranger Eddie from Kent Wildlife Trust (right)


We had a fabulous day on a guided tour at Kent Wildlife Trust with the knowledgeable and engaging Eddie, the Bison Ranger. Eddie explained in depth the process of 'Rewilding' - a large-scale ecological restoration approach that focuses on returning ecosystems to a state where nature can largely take care of itself. We were then taken on a wonderful walk where we were lucky enough to see the magnificent bison herd (as close as is possible to get)!


Beautiful butterfly masks created by Beach Creative Young Artist, Bella


Bella, one of our Beach Creative Young Artists, has been the first to develop some prototype masks using recycled materials, taking inspiration and reference from the butterflies native to Blean woods. - including the Fritillary butterfly, which is endangered. 


A butterfly mask

"The Heath Fritillary is one of Britain's rarest and perhaps the Blean's greatest conservation success story. Close to extinction in the late 1970s, the heath fritillary colonies in the Blean are now some of the country's largest. This butterfly has been brought back from the brink by re-introducing regular coppicing and creating and maintaining wide rides (tracks) and open spaces that are linked."


Our project, 'Carnival of the Animals' in collaboration with Kent Wildlife Trust, Herne Bay in Bloom Community Kitchen Garden and led by artist Wendy Chandler, will be creating a life-size puppet bison from recycled materials to parade through Herne Bay with 'Carnival of the Animals' part of global project inspired by the international public art and climate action project THE HERDS, supported by Art Fund.


Read more about the project in our previous post here



 
 
 
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