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Emily Maude glass painting

Emily Maude glass painting

Are you up for Homelink’s creative challenge?

Everyone has a creative gene in them. If you are shaking your head, think back to when you were a child. Did anything hold you back from painting, drawing, creating dens under the dining room table, making up stories and letting the imagination run free? HOT’s Lauris Morgan-Griffiths was reminded of those days when she learned that the local homelessness prevention charity, Homelink, has launched a Sussex-wide creative challenge in aid of local homelessness.

Phil Clare Bird Box

Phil Clare Bird Box

Makers of all ages and ability are being invited to get creative at home, either on their own or with family and friends. All types and styles of crafty creations are welcome ­– from paintings and upcycled furniture, to homemade quilts, knitted throws, ceramics, mosaics, decorated flower pots and garden sculptures – all in order to make and donate something  for the home or garden as part of Homelink’s Home is where the craft is community challenge.

Challenge and auction 

Donations are beginning to come in; two shown here are a delightful bird box made by Phil Clare and a beautiful throw donated, but not made, by Susan Bain – it was hand-stitched in the 1950s for Susan’s mother made using English paper method quilting technique. It has been lovingly stored for 50 years and is in pristine condition.

All creations will be shown on Facebook and Instagram (@HomelinkSussex) in August and September, ahead of a celebrity judging involving TV presenters and interior designers Linda Barker and Oliver Heath. They will pick their favourite entries and prizes will be awarded on Saturday 10 October, World Homeless Day 2020.

Susan Bain Handmade Throw

Susan Bain Handmade Throw

Submissions for the Home is where the craft is challenge will close on Monday 21 September. Prizes will be awarded for the following categories:

Best Craft Newcomer (for under 16s)
Outstanding Effort
Best Team / Family Effort

The judges’ favourite selected submissions will be entered into an online auction to raise funds for Homelink’s #homes4families campaign. 
The auction will open to bidders from Saturday 26 September until 9pm on World Homeless Day, Saturday 10 October. 
Prize winners will be announced that day via a Facebook Live event @HomelinkSussex.

Established artists

Angela Evans Ceramic Tiles

Angela Evans Ceramic Tiles

The charity has also called on the talents of established Sussex makers to contribute to an online auction. These include ceramicist Angela Evans, lustreware and porcelain potter Jonathan Chiswell Jones and illustrator and designer Emily Maude, who has submitted a Bloomsbury-inspired Staffordshire dog reverse painted on glass.

Proceeds from the auction will go to #homes4families, Homelink’s new campaign to support the charity in providing homes for children and parents affected by homelessness – work that is anticipated to be even more in demand due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

It is hoped that funds raised through the Home is where the craft is auction will help Homelink to support even more vulnerable families in 2020/21.

 Jonathan CHISWELL JONES procelain bowl 1

Jonathan Chiswell Jones porcelain bowl

Homelink is the only charity in the South East of England dedicated to helping families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless into privately rented accommodation through interest-free loans to cover the cost of landlords’ deposits and advance rent.

The charity’s service manager, Pippa Grace, said:
 “Families with children, and parents separated from their children because of their housing situation, make up a significant proportion of our clients, with relationship breakdown, mental health issues, domestic violence and the loss of employment all factors that lead them to needing our support. Since the Coronavirus pandemic started, we have seen a concerning rise in applications for loans to help local homeless families into housing.”

The charity works in partnership with partner referral organisations, including the Sussex Rough Sleeper Prevention Project, local job centres, children’s services, women’s refuges and Southdown Housing in Lewes Prison. It helps people already based in the Lewes District (who wish to live in or out of the District) and people from outside the District wishing to be housed in it.

It is hoped that funds raised through the Home is where the craft is auction will help Homelink to support even more vulnerable families in 2020/21.

 

To take part and watch Linda Barker’s video message to supporters, visit the Home is where the craft is web page

Read another HOT article about homelessness.

 

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Posted 18:06 Wednesday, Aug 26, 2020 In: Charities

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