Community Heroes of the Week: £3,000 grant helps charity expand support for vulnerable young people

Creative at HeART CIC supports vulnerable children and young people across North Northamptonshire through creative wellbeing activities that promote confidence, self-expression and emotional resilience. Working closely with local charities, schools and community organisations, the CIC delivers trauma-informed workshops designed to support those facing a range of challenges, including poor mental health, illness, disability, social disadvantage or adverse life circumstances. A £3,000 grant from the Randal Charitable Foundation Fund, awarded via Northamptonshire Community Foundation, is enabling Creative at HeART CIC to purchase specialist creative and mobile printing equipment to launch and expand its wellbeing workshops. The portable equipment will allow sessions to be delivered in a wide range of community settings, helping children and young people who may otherwise face barriers to participation. The funding will support the delivery of around 25 to 30 creative wellbeing sessions, reaching an estimated 200 to 350 young people. Participants will have the opportunity to create artwork and transform their designs into printed keepsakes, providing a tangible reminder of their achievements and creativity. By investing in flexible, mobile resources, the project will enable Creative at HeART CIC to provide high-quality, accessible creative experiences for children and young people who need them most, helping to improve wellbeing, build confidence and encourage positive self-expression. Northamptonshire Community Foundation is the county’s largest independent grant maker, having given more than £24 million in grants since its inception in 2001. This year marks an exciting milestone for NCF – 25 years of inspiring local giving for local needs. Building on this, NCF is also looking 25 years ahead, with bold ambition for a fairer, thriving and more connected county for generations to come.