Houseworks art supporting children's wellbeing in Weymouth

Houseworks Dorset CIC is a non-profit community arts organisation based in Weymouth and it has been helping children across the town get into art.

It was set up by sisters Jodie and Clover House and provides a weekly workshop at Top Club in Littlemoor, is helping Afghan children at the Chickerell Camp, and works collaboratively with B-Side and Weymouth College.

Sisters Jodie House (L) and Clover House (R) of Houseworks Dorset CIC (Image: Andy Jones)

The arts group was also a new addition to the Rotary Club of Weymouth’s Fayre in the Square event over Bank Holiday weekend.

Speaking at the event, Jodie said: “We are a non-profit community arts organisation and engagement service and we use creative activities to engage the community, and a lot of vulnerable people,

The art tent was providing slots for children to create cardboard fish collages at Fayre in the Square on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday May 26 (Image: Andy Jones)

“We are working with the Afghan children at the camp (in Chickerell), we have been there for nearly six months.

“It’s all through creative activities and it is a brilliant way to support people with their mental health and wellbeing and have fun.”

The House sisters originally started out selling ‘junk art kits’ on a market stall five years ago and the organisation has blossomed to become an integral part of community life for people in the town.

Jodie added: “We set up a market stall just before Covid selling junk art kits made out of recycled material.

“It was a small idea and it has just grown and grown and sometimes we have to just pinch ourselves.”

Devon Kenner (L) and Dee Sturmey (R) booking into the arts and craft tent at Fayre in the Square with Darcie-May, Scarlett and baby Cillian (Image: Andy Jones)

Dee Sturmey, a mother from Weymouth was excited to see the group at Fayre in the Square after using the workshops at Top Club

 She said: “We go to the arts and crafts at Littlemoor so they are looking forward to the arts and crafts.”

Jodie and Clover are keen to educate people that art can be good for their wellbeing and also promote sustainability by reusing materials.

A parade took place at Fayre in the Square where children (and parents) showcased their colourful designs of fish (Image: Newsquest)

Jodie continued: “90 percent of the stuff we use is recycled, so we work with local businesses to get their waste, and we spend hours making it look beautiful to bring an affordable resource to the community and we love it.

“We are across schools, and lots of different sectors and it really works to support young minds and adults it’s such a simple resource but it is underfunded.

“We shout quite loudly about how important it is and how cheap it is to support people through the arts.”

Art teacher Isobel Ross with her decorated fish at Fayre in the Square (Image: Andy Jones)

Isobel Ross, a former arts teacher, helps out with the project and helps run art sessions for the children.

She explained how it is not just benefiting the children but parents also enjoy networking and integrating with their local community.

She said: "Having a starting point for a focus and activity gets people settled and talking quite quickly and it has really helped a lot of local people find their feet in the community.

"We all forget that cutting out, sticking and gluing stuff is really therapeutic.

"Sometimes you think you are going to make one thing and it comes out completely different to what you were going to make – its great."