ALL 232 pupils at St Matthias School in Stoke Newington have received beautiful art boxes brimming with pens, paints and paper at their homes, thanks to arts charity DissentersArtsN16 which was founded by Ruth.
After discovering that a number of the school’s families haven’t had access to the internet or creative resources at home to teach children during lockdown, the charity worked with Head Teacher Lucy Blewett and school staff to see how they could help.
They donated £4,000 so every child would receive their very own creative toolkit, consisting of crayons and paints, chalks, sketchbooks, cards and modelling clay – and all be able to undertake creative challenges set by their teachers whilst at home.
“At such a challenging time, this creative toolkit has brought such joy to our school community,” says St Matthias Head Teacher Lucy Blewett. ‘Our locked down children now have the tools to let their imaginations run wild. They can create and express themselves, and also fulfil tasks we are setting.”
Says Trustee Ruth: “DissentersArtsN16 is delighted to be able to deliver a tangible way for children in lockdown to express themselves. Lockdown has increased the pressure on many families with few resources. We are thrilled to have seen the pleasure on so many children’s faces as they received the toolkits.”
DissentersArtsN16 is a Stokey-based charity offering opportunities for creativity in arts and music to members of the community who otherwise may not be able to access them.
Adds Blewett: “They say boredom sparks creativity. This amazing gift for every child will allow us to harness that creativity through these very difficult times. A gift for now and the future. We are so grateful to Dissenters arts N16 for making this possible. !t has put a spring in everyone’s step and a smile on all our faces.”
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