Bringing Art to Your Heart
Meet Anna Glover, social entrepreneur and founder of HeArts Creative Projects, a social enterprise that is dedicated to infusing creativity into the heart of society.
On a mission to create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future, HeArts delivers art and creative craft projects in deprived areas across the North East. Anna’s small team of community practitioners, certified teachers, mindfulness and wellbeing coaches and volunteers engages with some of the most vulnerable people in society, offering vital support to families, children, young and older people, and carers.
Through inspiring, engaging, and educational creative activities, HeArts helps its beneficiaries develop essential life and art skills, as well as building confidence and achieving personal growth. Their programmes are carefully and thoughtfully designed to celebrate the diverse cultures present in north east communities, utilising local community venues and outdoor spaces to deliver their workshops and services. Anna’s team offer a wide range of programmes including; inter-generational arts initiatives, cultural festivals and exhibitions, creative healing interventions for unpaid carers, holiday activities and food projects, and supportive creative workshops for women and families, alongside other culture-centric arts projects.
With over three decades of experience as an artist, teacher and community practitioner, Anna created HeArts Creative Projects to tackle the widespread social and economic challenges faced by the North East, and in particular, Sunderland. Born in Czechoslovakia and settling in the UK as an adult, Anna brings her unique experience of cultural transition and community engagement to her social enterprise , providing a unique insight into the needs and aspirations of diverse communities and how these can be met through artistic expression and problem-solving.
Anna secured funding from the Social Enterprise Boost Fund to support the growth of HeArts Creative Projects. She has also received one-to-one business support with PNE Business Advisor’s Natasha Purser and Maria Payumo, focusing on improving her marketing and digital engagement, alongside attending workshops designed to build confidence and address imposter syndrome.
Anna said: “HCP are immensely grateful to FP the Boost Programme and provided financial support. This funding has been instrumental in driving our growth, enabling HCP to expand our clientele, work on creating new programmes, and strengthen our network. The positive impact of FP Boost support has been transformative, empowering HCP to achieve significant milestones and to continue our mission with renewed momentum. Thank you for believing in our vision and contributing to our success.”
The future looks bright for Anna and HeArts Creative Projects. They recently wrapped up their latest in-person five-week cohort of the, "Canvas of the Mind," project. This is a two-year National Lottery Funded project collaborating with HOPS (Healing Opportunity Wellbeing Service) and Sunderland Parent Carers Forum. This initiative helped carers and adults facing cognitive challenges reconnect with their emotions and memories through creative therapies and visual storytelling and has been a fantastic success. We look forward to seeing what is next for Anna and HeArts Creative Projects!
To find out more about HeArts Creative Projects, please visit their website at: https://www.heartscreativeprojects.co.uk/
To follow HeArts Creative Projects on Facebook please visit: https://www.facebook.com/HeArtsCreate