Funding needed for art project supporting people with dementia

AN Exeter project, which offers outdoor activities and art projects for people living with dementia has been put at risk due to lack of funding.
 
Developed by Age UK Exeter, the `Budding Friends´ initiative provides a weekly allotment project through the spring and summer and art workshops in partnership with Studio 36.
 
Now Exeter solicitors, Cartridges Law, which has supported the initiative by providing exhibition space near Age UK Exeter in St Thomas, has launched a fundraising drive to help the organisers reach their £5,000 funding target.
 
Bridget Garrood, partner at Cartridges Law, said: ‘We have been privileged to support and exhibit artwork from the ‘Budding Friends’ artists and were saddened to learn that their funding for this project has been lost.
 
‘We have committed to help them find the £5,000, which is needed to allow this much-needed support group to continue. It means so much to many people and provides help and advice to people living with dementia, including the carers.
 
‘In addition to the art and allotment projects, Age UK Exeter also runs a support group giving people with dementia and their carers the time to talk, share and get advice. All these services combined are invaluable to so many and work together to provide the support needed in a holistic way, it would be very sad to lose part of it due to the lack of funding.’ 
 
In December Cartridges Law hosted a private view for the artists and  supporters of the Budding Friends artwork project so they could show off their colourful work which has been on display in their office foyer. New work from a different set of Budding Friends Artists is now on display, with information about the project, and the latest exhibition is open to the public in office hours.
 
An fundraising evening is planned for March 30 from 5.30pm to raise awareness and funds for this much-loved project. If you would like to attend, or can offer your support, please contact Kathy at Cartridges Law on 01392 286779 or e-mail kathy.hulland@cartridgeslaw.co.uk