Community’s creative tribute to Sister Dora unveiled at Bloxwich Library

Mossley Community Connections CIC, supported by Crowdfund Walsall have delivered the creative project that is now on permanent display at Bloxwich Library.

Mossley Community Connections CIC is dedicated to combating social isolation within the local community through their group activity sessions. They engage the community through activities such as arts, crafts, gentle exercise, and British Sign Language lessons. These sessions are designed to be inclusive for all abilities and disabilities, encouraging residents to learn new skills, reduce social isolation, and get active.

The organisation received significant funding support from Crowdfund Walsall, covering 80% of the costs to run these sessions. This funding was provided by the UK Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Walsall Council’s Public Health - Tackling Inactivity Fund. Crowdfund Walsall, an initiative by Walsall Council, empowers local people to create and deliver projects that enhance the area and improve residents' lives.

As part of their arts and crafts sessions, in collaboration with Real Arts Workshop, participants learned a variety of skills such as painting, quilling, and trades from the past. A group effort resulted in a tribute artwork to Sister Dora (Dorothy Wyndlow Pattison), an Anglican nun who worked and nursed in Walsall. This collage, created by 10-12 Walsall residents over three weeks using newspapers, magazines, and other materials, is now displayed at Bloxwich Library for the community to view.

The Mayor of Walsall officially unveiled the collage in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Tuesday, 25 September 2024.

Following the initial funding support through Crowdfund Walsall, Mossley Community Connections CIC has since received additional external funding to continue delivering inclusive sessions for the local community. For more information about the organisation or to volunteer, contact: mossleycommunityconnections@gmail.com.

Groups and organisations interested in learning more about the Crowdfund Walsall Programme can email Crowdfundwalsall@walsall.gov.uk to check their eligibility and explore available support options. 

Notes:

• This project was part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses, and enhancing people and skills. For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
• In May 2023, Mossley Community Connections CIC began their crowdfunding journey by creating their project page and pitch, supported by Crowdfund Walsall. By the end of September 2023, they successfully hit their £12,327 target, receiving 80% funding support from the UK Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Walsall Council’s Public Health - Tackling Inactivity Fund. 
• The project delivered a total of 51 activity sessions, including British Sign Language sessions, arts and crafts sessions, Zumba, and Qi-Gong gentle exercise sessions. These sessions were designed to be inclusive for all abilities and disabilities, encouraging residents to learn new skills, reduce social isolation, and get active. A total of 62 local residents participated, with the majority being new to the organisation. Notably, 8 out of 34 people surveyed moved from inactive/not active to fairly active/active.
• If local community or voluntary organisations wish to apply for funding to improve the places, spaces, and residents' lives in the borough, they are encouraged to get in touch with the Crowdfund Walsall team at crowdfundwalsall@walsall.gov.uk