- Over £8,000 raised through community crowdfunding
- Tamworth Borough Council’s fourth fully funded project under the We Are Tamworth programme
- 16 weeks of drama and performance workshops to boost confidence and wellbeing
Tamworth Borough Council are pleased to announce that Face the World, a creative wellbeing initiative led by Burton and District Mind, has successfully reached its crowdfunding goal of more than £8,000. It is the fourth community project to be fully funded through the We Are Tamworth programme, delivered by Tamworth Borough Council in partnership with Spacehive.
The project received pledges from 40 supporters, including local residents, community organisations, and match funding from Tamworth Borough Council as part of the government’s Community Recovery Fund.
Reaching its target means Face the World can now deliver 16 weekly, two-hour drama and performance workshops at the Safe Haven Café in Tamworth town centre. The programme will support neurodiverse people and those experiencing poor mental health, using creative expression to improve wellbeing, self-esteem, and confidence. Participants will create a final performance, written and produced together, to showcase their journey.
Burton & District Mind are working with Shoebox Theatre on a new and exciting approach using a blend of psychoeducation, drama and performance to help people in Tamworth in just this situation. Funded by Tamworth Borough Council and crowdfunding, the project provides 16 weeks of expert support and facilitation, which will lead to people feeling better within themselves, have better social connections and friendships as they meet their 'tribe'. We will build their confidence to Face the World.
Councillor Sarah Daniels, portfolio holder for cooperative council, community partnerships and antisocial behaviour said:
“The success of Face the World is proof of the incredible generosity and spirit of Tamworth people. By backing this project, our community has said loud and clear that everyone deserves the chance to feel valued and supported. The crowdfunding programme along with our funding really enables local projects to move from ideas to reality delivering projects like this. I can’t wait to see the final performances that celebrates the voices and talents of local people.”
Keri Lawrence, development and sustainability officer at Burton and District mind said: "The world is difficult for many of us now - its more complicated and costs a lot more too! This has led to even more people in Tamworth recognising the signs and symptoms of mental health problems. It is even harder for people with traits we call neurodivergent; terms such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and many more are often used in this context. For people with such conditions, myself included, it is more likely that there's overlap with depression and anxiety, and less likely they will ask for help, or get help that considers both mental health problems and the way they process thoughts and feelings. It makes you feel like hiding.
“With your generous pledge, we will meet a need that often goes unheard and unreported. The project will improve friendships, ambitions and careers. It is exclusive to Tamworth. Everyone deserves good mental health. Let's all get their together."
Research shows that access to creative expression and peer support can significantly improve mental health outcomes. By combining the arts with wellbeing support, Face the World aims to break down barriers and provide a safe, inclusive space for neurodiverse people and those struggling with mental health challenges.
This success reflects Tamworth Borough Council’s ongoing commitment to support projects that build stronger communities, promote inclusion and increase opportunity for local people.
There are still other local projects live on the Spacehive platform seeking support, including initiatives focused on gambling harm prevention, hygiene hub for Tamworth, educational workshops for young people, the gospel and crafts project and the annual arts event.
Read more about the projects and how to support them:
👉 https://www.spacehive.com/movement/tamworth/projects
The We Are Tamworth programme is delivered by Tamworth Borough Council in partnership with Spacehive and funded through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s £600,000 Community Recovery Fund. The programme was created following the civil unrest in Tamworth on 4 August 2023 to enhance community cohesion and rebuild social trust.