At our annual general meeting on Wed 23 Oct, we launched a challenge close to our hearts as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations: raising £50,000 through the Big Give to fund a brand-new creative wellbeing programme.

This programme will help bridge the gap in underfunded mental health services, providing innovative, creative support to our community here in North Gloucestershire and South Worcestershire.

We Need Your Help

Reaching £50,000 won’t be easy, but we’re halfway there with £25,000 already secured in matched funds. To unlock this funding, we need to raise the remaining £25,000 through your generous donations — and we have just one week to do it!

From Tue 3 Dec to Tue 10 Dec every contribution will be doubled by Big Give match funding.

Why Your Support Matters

Mental health services in our area are severely stretched. Over 70,000 people in Gloucestershire are living with a diagnosed mental health condition, including 13,000 over-65s who suffer from depression. One in four young people report low mental wellbeing — higher than the national average — and more than 600 young people are currently on waiting lists for services.

Creative hubs like The Roses have a vital role to play in supporting those affected. Our creative wellbeing programme will help by:

• Working with the NHS, schools, and arts partners to offer alternative mental and physical health services
• Raising awareness of how arts and creativity improve mental wellbeing
• Partnering with local SEN schools to launch theatre-making workshops
• Increasing access to home-based creative activities for those over 65, especially for those with dementia
• Launching an inclusive dance programme to highlight the benefits of movement on mental health

Join Us to Make a Difference

Research shows that regular creative activities can decrease depression symptoms by as much as 73%, and dance has been shown to be even more effective than medication in some cases. By contributing to our Big Give campaign, you’ll be helping us bring singing, dancing, and other creative activities to people across our community in 2025.

“This is more than just a fundraising goal. We’re hoping to make a real, measurable impact on mental health in our region by bringing creative, supportive outlets to those who need them most,” says Jess Brewster, Director at The Roses, “Together, we can make a lasting difference for our community.”

Make your donation promise today, and we’ll remind you when Big Give donations open. With your support, we can work together to close the gap in mental health services and make a lasting impact on our community’s wellbeing.