Make It Merry with Norfolk Creativity Collective

The Norfolk Creativity Collective is a group of local arts charities, community groups and other organisations who have joined forces to #MakeItMerry this December.

With the generous support of local artists and creatives, we have put together a 32 page booklet of creative challenges you can do at home.

Our aim is to distribute 16,000 activity packs, including the booklet and the basic art materials needed for the challenges (paper, glue etc), to families and individuals who may not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with their creativity.

The packs will be distributed through Food Banks and other community organisations across Norfolk - including in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn.

Your donation of £5 will help us to reach our goal of sharing the joy of creativity with 16,000 households this winter.

Funds are being collected by Young Norfolk Arts Trust (Charity number: 1162863) on behalf of the Norfolk Creativity Collective.

Our story so far

For many of the arts organisations involved in the Collective, this is the next step in a range of outreach projects designed to promote creativity to those who may be digitally or socially isolated during lockdown.

Here are just a few examples of what has been done so far.

Previous project case study: Art Parcels Initiative by Kick the Dust

Kick the Dust - Norfolk is a youth project run by Norfolk Museums Service, YMCA Norfolk, Creative Collisions and Norfolk Library & Information Service.

During summer 2020, the project's Art Parcels Initiative saw 1,000 packs of creative materials delivered to young people aged 11-25 across Norfolk, who would not have access to digital resources during the pandemic.

Recipients included young carers and those living in supported accommodation.

Feedback included:

"The packs are well good.  I do art in my spare time...I never usually get things like this." - Youth Group Member

"Two young people were able to use the packs to support their mental health, not being able to access art therapy during lockdown." - Youth Worker

A collage of postcards received from YMCA residents in Great Yarmouth:

Previous project case study: Let's Create Packs by Festival Bridge

Festival Bridge is one of ten national Bridge organisations, with a mission to connect children and young people with great arts and culture.

Working with Local Cultural Education Partnerships, 64 Million Artists and Norfolk Museums, Festival Bridge has made two creative inspiration packs during lockdown. 

The first pack was distributed during May half term by amazing on-the-ground distribution networks to over 7,500 families who might not have access to digital resources. The second pack was created by 25 local artists and delivered ahead of the summer holidays to 18,000 families. 

Feedback included:

"We have had some amazing feedback from our vulnerable families about the packs that were delivered.  They loved the games and activity books." - Head Teacher

"The girls...were excited about the packs with squeals of excitement when I gave them to them.  They loved the range of activities." - Project Manager mentoring young women

Your donation will help us to continue this fantastic work into the winter and beyond.

Thank you