Local artists, Mary Deaville and Vanessa Rhead belive very strongly in the importance of creativity to wellbeing.

When they set up the community interest company CHAPEL Creatives CIC, (Creatives Helping All People Enjoy Life), in March 2017 the aim was to join together creative people and businesses to provide creative activities and events for people of all ages and abilities, fully able and disabled, with the aim to aid good mental health and well-being.

They have been trying to find premises and funding for materials and other costs so that this service can be offered free to the Community of Ross-on-Wye and surrounding areas.

Ross Baptist Church last year became ‘Dementia Friendly’ and ran an event for its members to explain how they can also help and what it means to be Dementia Friendly, which Mary attended.

Although no funding has been forthcoming as yet, Mary feels very strongly that there is a mental health and wellbeing need to be met in this community and, in collaboration with the Ross Baptist Church, CHAPEL Creatives CIC will be attending the Thursday Coffee Morning every week from January 10th to add a creative element to each morning.

So if you are feeling the January blues, creative, or just in need of company, pop along to the Ross Baptist Church, Broad Street, Ross-on-Wye between 10am and 12pm. Mary will be there to greet you with a smile and offer drawing, adult doodling and card making. This service is free and you can enjoy a cuppa (donations 50p to RBC), biscuit and a chat with the volunteers of the Ross Baptist Coffee Morning and others who regularly attend.

CHAPEL Creatives CIC is continuing to source funding to allow this service to be available across this community, so if you are aware of any possible sources or would like to make donation yourself or as a local Company please contact Mary Deaville at [email protected].