Community Crowdfunding Campaign
At the Horsebridge, we believe creativity can change lives.
Every week we meet people who feel overlooked, young people struggling to fit in at school, isolated teenagers dealing with anxiety and young women carrying pressures they often feel unable to talk about. This new project is designed especially for young women aged 16–18 who may be struggling with their mental health, confidence or sense of belonging. Working closely with local sixth forms and colleges, we will invite young women, particularly those facing financial disadvantage or emotional challenges, to come together in a safe, welcoming creative space.
Over 14 artist-led sessions, participants will experiment with drawing, photography, collaborative making and creative discussion. Together they will shape the project themselves, creating artwork that reflects their experiences, worries, hopes and identities.
The project is not simply about making art, it is about building confidence, friendships and resilience. It is about helping young women understand that their voices matter.
At the end of the programme, the artwork will be exhibited in a two-week public exhibition at the Horsebridge Gallery, celebrating the creativity and courage of the young people involved. The exhibition will also include photographs documenting the journey and peer-led workshops for other local young people.
We know from experience that projects like this can have a profound impact. Creative activity reduces loneliness, supports mental wellbeing and helps people feel part of something bigger than themselves. When young people see their work displayed publicly and appreciated by others, it can completely change how they see themselves.
Meet the Artists Supporting the Project
The project will be led by artist and educator Liz Atkin.
Liz transforms her lived experience of anxiety and Compulsive Skin Picking into powerful drawings, photography and performance work. She is an internationally recognised mental health advocate whose work has helped thousands of people feel less alone.
Her artwork and advocacy archive are held in the Wellcome Collection, and she has taught and exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, Australia, the USA, Singapore and Japan. Liz teaches in schools, hospitals, hospices, prisons, universities and arts venues, using creativity to support wellbeing and connection.
Her work has featured on TEDx, BBC News, Woman’s Hour, Vice, Women’s Health USA, Huffington Post, Metro, Al Jazeera and more.
Supporting the sessions and exhibition curation will be artist and qualified teacher Debra Ivens, an experienced workshop leader who has worked extensively with community groups through the Horsebridge and beyond.
Together, they will create a warm, supportive and inclusive environment where young women can express themselves without judgement.
Why We Need Your Support
We want this project to be accessible to every young woman who needs it.
Your support will help cover:
- Artist and workshop facilitator fees
- Materials and creative resources
- Exhibition costs at the Horsebridge Gallery
- Documentation and photography
- Outreach with local schools and colleges
- Peer-support workshop activities
- A safe, welcoming space for participants to connect and create
Every donation, no matter the size, helps us give young women a place where they can feel supported, valued and creatively empowered.
By supporting this project, you are not just funding art sessions
You are helping young women build confidence. You are helping reduce isolation and anxiety. You are helping create connection, self-expression and hope.
Thank you for helping us make this happen.