A video about the project from our friend Matthew Wolfenden:

About Us

Hi there, my name is Bronco and I am part of a newly formed not-for-profit company, New Cross Arts Centre. We have premises and will hopefully soon be opening a training tea room and shop where adults and young people with learning disabilities can get some work experience and training in retail and hospitality skills.

Why?

In my day-job, I help support, training and educate people with disabilities.

In the last year, I have noticed that there is a real lack of work placements available in the area for individuals with higher level or complex needs. It is an area that has been badly overlooked and seriously undersupported for some time now. This is such a shame as people with disabilities will struggle to even get a toe in the door in any normal working environment so they need all the support they can get.

It made sense to try and do something about it, no matter how little to begin with. So, some like-minded friends have got together to form a new not-for-profit company based in New Cross, Somerset aiming to rectify this. If we can make this retail and hospitality training centre a success we plan to expand the idea out into other areas in the South West and beyond! But... we really need your help too to make this happen.

Why Arts?

The arts sector has seen a similar downturn since Covid, with our area in Somerset really needing some community champions for the arts and its producers. Many of the volunteers for New Cross Arts have a background in the arts so combining the two made a lot of sense. A centre for arts and training means that we can support and celebrate many parts of our community at the same time.

The Shop

As well as the tea room, we will have a retail section too. This will feature local arts and crafts as well as curios and merchandise. We have called it Hatter’s Emporium because, somewhat unusually, everything is for sale. If you like the table that you’re sitting at and can see it in your house, make us an offer! Drinking from a nice cup? It’s for sale too. Nothing’s off the cards…within reason!

Can You Help Us?

It will take people dreaming big dreams to make big things happen. The aim, if sucessful, is to start other opportunities up in other areas on the same model with the same support we have in place here. We want you to be part of that journey, and you’ll be able to follow everything along with us on our social media channels. Literally anything you can give will make an impact, lend a helping hand to building someone up rather than knocking them down.

Donations

If you can donate anything, no matter how much, through our GoFundMe here, or via direct donation, we would be very, very grateful for your help! Corporate sponsors, please get in touch as we can promote and market how fabulous you are too.