There was a lot of excitement on 18 September 2024 as Iqbal Mohamed the newly elected Member of Parliament for Dewsbury and Batley visited Howlands and met with members as well as staff and volunteers.

Iqbal spent some considerable time meeting and chatting with members who were in attendance as well as hearing about our history and the wonderful work we continue doing to empower people in unearthing their creative talents whilst reducing loneliness and social isolation and enhancing social confidence and self-esteem.

It was a real pleasure to have our MP in attendance and we felt that this was the beginning of a wonderful new friendship and partnership. Iqbal has even committed to coming and doing a session with us in a voluntary capacity, albeit we think he wants to show us his art skills developed at school. Either way we will be taking you up on this offer, Iqbal, and will work out when and how to do that going forward.

As he prepared to leave, Iqbal thanked everyone for the warmth that he felt during his visit and the overwhelming sense of family that was evident at Howlands. Iqbal committed to be a familiar face at Howlands going forward saying:

“It was a real pleasure to visit and meet you and all the wonderful people.

The work you all do is essential and hugely appreciated.”

We look forward to working with Iqbal going forward.

Saturday 19th October 2024 at 1.00 p.m.

“Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends.” —Kate Spade

Following our successful Spring Fashion Show held earlier this year we are going again with Complete Clothing and our dashing host, William Finan. We will again have all the glitz and glamour of the catwalk as our fabulous models don their outfits again and we are taken through the razzmatazz with a backdrop of banging 80s tunes.

Come down, join in, even buy your winter outfits or next year’s summer clothes, all at a reasonable price courtesy of Complete Clothing.

Tickets are £6.00 each which will include a glass of Prosecco or a non-alcoholic alternative drink. There will be a free prize draw for all tickets purchased.

Unfortunately Mark was unable to take part in the Great North Run this year due to unexpected and unpredictable ill-health. Mark took medical advice from his GP who suggested it was not wise to participate given his underlying health issues and chronic fatigue and knee pain suffered recently (this is part of Mark’s health journey following stroke in 2019). Mark has deferred his entry to next year’s Great North Run and pending confirmation that he has a place in this, Mark’s intention is to work towards being able to participate in next year’s event and/or other running events.

Mark said, “Due to ill health I was no longer able to do this event. I am incredibly disappointed. My colleagues at work will be climbing Pen-y-Ghent on 14th September in lieu of my intended activity and I will recover as best I can and look at something for next year. If you have sponsored me please know that I will do something in place of this, when I am back on an even keel as best I can be with underlying health conditions. I am sorry. I hope you understand. I will not be beaten and I will rise again and do something crazy for this wonderful place.”

In lieu of this, Deborah and Becky, our ever-adventurous ever-present members of staff will be taking on the mountainous beast that is Pen-Y-Ghent on Saturday 14th September. Both Deborah and Becky are nervously looking forward to this challenge, especially seeing as the weather forecast is for drizzle and the anticipated walking/climbing/crawling time is circa three and a half hours. We are sure that the view will be worth it and that first pint will go down a treat, once completed.

We ask that donors through Justgiving to Mark’s planned event are understanding of his setback and that any pledges of sponsorship are transferred to Deborah and Becky’s adventure. Mark has committed to taking part in a future fundraising event and details will be shared as soon as he is in a position to confirm his choice of adventure. Mark’s daughter has suggested he jumps off a hill with Sam the Man from the Gym downstairs, obviously attached to a paraglider. Watch this space.

We wish Deborah and Becky all the luck in the world as they aim to scale the 2277 foot high peak. Have the cagouls handy, ladies, and bring us back a story or two and some pictures of the magnificent view atop the clouds! Any new or further donations can be made via our Justgiving page here: Howlands – JustGiving

AJ Bell Great North Run, 8 September 2024.

Mark Boocock is fundraising for Howlands (justgiving.com)

“Ok, so I’m doing this whether I like it or not. Yep, 13.1 miles. I am daft but this is just crazy.

Please help me raise much needed funds for Howlands by donating if you can. Howlands helps disadvantaged people find confidence, forge friendships and create lifelong connections through bespoke arts and crafts. The place warms my heart and makes a difference to many people.

My friend Craig will be guiding me round so I don’t bang into people or trip over anything. Who dares wins and I’m daring!”

If you would like to sponsor Mark either visit the JustGiving link in this article or ask any member of Howlands Staff for a sponsor form. Please give if you can; every penny helps.

We would like to thank all those who attended our Showcase Event recently.

We welcomed longstanding friends and local Councillors Cathy Scott, Eric Firth and Paul Moore to the event as well as our friendly Enforcement Officers, Hayley and Andy.  Generally over the 3 days we had a nice steady flow of people coming in to see some of the beautiful creations that have been designed and made by participants in our sessions.

Amanda and Jane took centre stage with our Councillors.  Amanda is working on a diamond art kit showing two tigers in the shape of a Yin and Yang, and Jane is well underway with her latest painting, this time of a Border Collie.

We had a wonderful time and it was fabulous to reflect on the work that we have done recently.  Much of this work is thanks to our sponsors as well as everyone who comes through our doors and supports directly.

Please see our latest Newsletter.

With thanks to Tom for all his efforts with creating and drawing these newsletters together.

We are working on ways to introduce a digital newsletter that visitors can subscribe to.

Please watch this space.

The sun is shining, Summer is here, the Euros are underway and life is great.

Here’s an insight into some of the work that our wonderful Howlands family have been doing recently.

Our garden and growing themes continue with some bee drinking stations and birdhouses in full flight; we have a beautiful bee in progress (by Nico);  a flourish of flowers and trees (by Jane) adorn the centre; a seagull stands dutifully surveilling the scene (Nico); and all comes together in the Yin and Yang of two glorious tigers (by Amanda).  Winnie the Pooh and Friends is keeping a watchful eye on us as well just to make sure we know the Way and have a little fun as we go.

“Any day spent with you is my favourite day. So, today is my new favourite day.”
—Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)

On Wednesday 26th, Thursday 27th and Friday 28th June we will be opening our doors to encourage and support our fabulous Howlands family in showcasing their work and celebrating their achievements.

The timetable will be as follows:

• Wednesday 26th June: 1pm to 3pm
• Thursday 27th June: 10am to 3pm
• Friday 28th June: 10am to 3pm.

We will have tea/coffee and biscuits for visitors, or a soft drink/water if this beautiful sunshine continues.  Come and join us, find out what we do, share in the creativity and joy that shines out of the creations our people make and forge new connections and, who knows, maybe lifelong friendships.

With thanks to all our sponsors