Art & Soul is a distinctive charity in South-West London that has been championing community well-being through the arts for the past twenty years. We are seeking passionate and motivated trustees to support our growth and development.
Established in 1998, Art & Soul, formerly known as We Can Draw, offers weekly expressive arts workshops facilitated by qualified art therapists, and art practitioners along with regular exhibitions and a vibrant outreach programme. Nationally recognised as a well-established organisation in the arts and health sector, we transitioned into a charity in 2017 after a longstanding partnership with Orleans House Gallery.
Our primary activities include a workshop programme and regular exhibitions. Bi-weekly expressive arts workshops, currently hosted at the Exchange in Twickenham, cater to adults with mental health issues, while our outreach programme serves children, young people, and families in need of support. In collaboration with Achieving for Children, Springfield Hospital, and local CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services), we actively work with over 300 participants. Our reach extends to individuals with mental health needs in Richmond upon Thames, Hounslow, Ealing, Kingston upon Thames, and Wandsworth Boroughs.
In addition to our workshops, we have held a number of large exhibitions, our most recent being in 2024 at St Mary’s Church in Twickenham, showcasing 200 artworks. With a strong track record in fundraising, we have secured funds from various organisations, including the local council, local charities, and larger foundations such as the Baring Foundation, Heathrow Community Trust, National Lottery, and People’s Postcode Lottery.
Our aims encompass enhancing the well-being of adults in West and South-West London through structured creative activities, reducing mental health stigma, creating a supportive environment for those facing mental health challenges, and empowering members to connect with others, develop skills, and positively re-engage with the community.
To support our future endeavours, we are seeking general trustees to guide and bolster the charity. All trustees will have the critical responsibilities of ensuring the charity's compliance with its constitution, contributing actively to the strategic direction of the charity, ensuring financial stability, safeguarding the charity's values, and more. We are particularly seeking trustees with skills in marketing or partnership development to help us expand over the next few years. Many of our previous (and existing) trustees and staff members have lived experience of mental health. Whilst this is not essential to the role, we particularly welcome those with lived experience.
As we look to move the charity forward in 2025, we particularly welcome potential trustees with a fresh perspective on marketing and partnership development. Looking to grow our presence and impact within the local community, guidance on our next steps would be encouraged.
As part of the Art & Soul board, you will directly support and shape our work, seeing a first-hand impact on the community we work with.
This is a vital role, ensuring that we can continue to support over 300 participants with mental health needs in Richmond upon Thames, Hounslow, Ealing, Kingston upon Thames, and Wandsworth Boroughs.
Our trustees are key in our organisation, as your commitment will allow us to not only continue our work, but to expand. As we look to offer our workshops to more members of the community - including expanding our young person sessions and working with local schools - your leadership will be invaluable.
Interested applicants can send us a C.V. and a covering letter. Please state if you wish to be considered for a particular role.
