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Bloomin’ Arts Royal Visit 22 September 2021

HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO delighted participants at Surrey based arts charity Bloomin’ Arts located in Lingfield, when he came to visit the centre on 22 September to hear about their work throughout the pandemic and unveiled a plaque to celebrate 10 years they have operated as an incorporated charity. 

Bloomin’ Arts offers opportunities for people with learning disabilities to enjoy, develop skills, perform, and work in the arts and have shown superb resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly and efficiently adapting their services to a digital offering, to ensure participants and the wider community stay connected and creative in an inclusive and accessible way, whilst providing vital physical and mental health support.

After being formally welcomed by the trustees, staff and participants, the Duke was invited to view some of the work created from ‘Our World of Colour’ an online art exhibition created during the pandemic. He also spoke to members of the Theatre Company and even joined in a drama warm up.  

General Manager Hayley Bull said, ‘we are thrilled that HRH The Duke Of Gloucester has taken the time to visit us and is a huge recognition of the vital creative work and practical support Bloomin’ Arts achieved throughout lockdown’.

12th November 2020

Surrey learning disability arts charity runners up for prestigious Achates Philanthropy Prize.

Bloomin’ Arts (BA), a Surrey based arts charity offering opportunities for people with learning disabilities, are runners up for the 2020 Achates Philanthropy Prize. The nominations, announced on the 12th November, were the result of a regional showcase comprising 121 candidates, of which BA was selected as a finalist. A project of the Achates Philanthropy Foundation, the prize throws a spotlight on the inspiring ways in which cultural organisations like BA have supported their communities during an extraordinary year.

BA have shown superb resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly and efficiently adapting their services to a digital offering to ensure participants and the wider community stay connected and creative in an inclusive and accessible way, whilst providing vital physical and mental health support. Like many other small charities, BA used the pandemic as a catalyst for change, diversifying their offering to survive.

Of the nomination, BA General Manager Hayley Bull said:

“This nomination is a huge recognition of the vital creative work BA achieved throughout lockdown. Our participants come first in everything we do and we had to be there to support them in such an unsettling time, addressing their concerns and supporting their needs. This award will strengthen the vital work we do as a small charity at the heart of our wider community; never have we been more needed.”

BA recognised that their work supporting physical and mental health wellbeing could also be of great value to others adapting to changes because of COVID-19. They therefore opened their doors to the local community, supporting and addressing the needs of those most isolated and in need of accessible support.