Combating isolation and encourging social interaction

Artmospherics – a Community Interest Company set up to encourage social interaction, physical and mental stimulation and combat isolation for all age groups in the local and wider community.

In a Department for Education report* dated August 2017 and titled “North East Area Review” it was found that the average weekly wage, percentage of population with higher education qualifications and job density in the area was below the national average. The following paragraph, taken from the above document, highlights the need for a facility like Artmospherics in this area…

‘Local authority feedback identified the need for provision which engages young people and encourages participation as well as reducing travel time and costs, particularly for young people who are NEET (young people not in education, employment or training) or at risk of disengaging as well as unemployed adults. Local authorities also stressed the need for enhanced provision, offering progression opportunities to sustained employment for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.’

In response to this Artmospherics has been set up as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company for the benefit of the local community. Having researched the needs of the local and wider community, it is apparent that affordable, accessible activities for all age-groups are very limited. As technology is a part of everyday life, individuals have become chained to computers and the obesity crisis is growing. Technology is suffocating the younger generation’s ability to access social interaction and isolation is having a detrimental effect on mental and physical wellness in all age groups, so there is a massive need to encourage people to experience activities and the arts. Artmospherics intends to establish an interactive, community- focused activities destination. An all year-round venture that will incorporate a great many activities both indoors and out, such as:

Play areas, art, craft and creative thinking workshops, greenhouses, café, sensory garden/environment.

All age groups will be catered for and with the introduction of rolling ongoing activities there would be no demographic that would not be covered.

Having had discussions with care homes, playgroups, parents and the wider community, it’s clear that the opportunities are endless, the needs are wide and varied and we will be looking at growing the business by adding many new features on an annual basis. Offering a wide range of activities protects the business from seasonal peaks and troughs and promotes continued growth.