Impact Arts

Finals to be hosted by comedian and television presenter Sue Perkins of The Great British Bake Off!

Impact Arts has been shortlisted for a Social Enterprise Award. The national competition, organised by Social Enterprise UK, recognises the work and achievements of Britain’s most inspiring and successful social enterprises.

Impact Arts is a finalist in the Evidence of Impact category and one of five social enterprises shortlisted.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity and social economy business. They are solution focused and tackle mainstream problems creatively, providing opportunities for people to access the arts whether they are 0 or 100 years old. They use the arts as a tool to enable people to make positive, lasting change in their lives.

Across their flagship programmes they work with young people to help them increase their future life prospects and prevent homelessness, and older people to prevent isolation and loneliness and encourage social inclusion. Established in 1994 from a base in Glasgow they now operate across Scotland. Impact Arts employs more than 50 staff and over 200 freelance artists.

Lynne Carr said: ‘The UK’s aging population is highly topical at the moment, and Impact Arts are delighted that the Craft Café model is gaining the recognition we feel it deserves. Craft Café is our creative solution to reducing isolation and loneliness amongst older people and offers members aged 55+ a safe, social and creative environment where they can learn new skills and renew social networks. Members attend for free and are encouraged to take the lead on their own learning supported by a professional artist. Thanks to our SROI we now have the evidence that the model is a success. The study found that for every £1 invested in the programme there was a return of £8.27. But even more important than this monetary proof is the feedback we receive from people who are members of the Café such as James:

“Craft Café is brilliant, I’m in amongst company here, I have someone to talk to and my loneliness disappears. I don’t think about alcohol, I only think about drinking when I’m on my own for a long time and the memories and loneliness creep back in…coming here, I don’t need to feel that.”

James – Craft Café Member

We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award – it means so much to Impact Arts and all of our Craft Café members.’

The UK finals are taking place at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on 12th November, and will be hosted by comedian and television presenter Sue Perkins of The Great British Bake Off.

The Social Enterprise Awards are sponsored by CAN, PwC, BP, The British Council, The Nominet Trust and Real Partners CIC.

For more information visit www.socialenterprise.org.uk.