We’re using our spaces to create new opportunities across the community
We’ve been out and about this year asking groups and organisations a simple question - CAN WE HELP YOU?
The simple answer to this was YES - and we had a wonderful summer helping to facilitate a wide range of projects in the community. Here’s more about what we did :
WOODBLOCK PRINTING WORKSHOPS TO SUPPORT AXMINSTER & LYME CANCER SUPPORT & WELDMAR HOSPICE
In June we welcomed Yvonne Bruton, artistic soul and advocate for dynamic local charities Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support and Weldmar Hospice . ALCS offer a wonderful range of services via a local support network and provide everything from creative activities to holistic therapies as well as relevant diet and lifestyle information for anyone affected by any cancer. The wonderful Dorset-based Weldmar Hospice provide specialist end of life care for adults with a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones.
A series of workshops were undertaken at the mill where attendees created their own tote bag or tea towel with ancient woodblock printing methods. By giving the space over for free, the workshops were able to offer some subsidised places for those effected by cancer to attend - and we were very touched to hear people’s stories about how cancer had effected their own lives.
The need for respite, change of scenery, purpose and creativity are all so important in the management of this disease so these fun, productive experiences were a tonic for managing some of lives challenges. Thank you Yvonne - wonderful to have you with us!
MORE & MORE GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS WORKING WITH US….
TOWN MILL TUNES IN TO B SHARP’S DESIRE TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Fantastic local youth charity B SHARP’s vision is that all young people can access the life-changing power of music to reach their potential. They also aspire to collaborate with others (local schools, community and wellbeing organisations) to increase access to music opportunities for all young people.
So after the great success of Town Mill being used as a “busking stop” for their 2025 Busking Festival, we were delighted to be able to work them again this summer to provide a useable location for them to conduct a comprehensive work experience programme for 3 students with aspirations to move into the music industry.
We know there is great talent and drive amongst these students and we wish them all the very best with their next steps.
LYME REGIS SOCIETY TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SOAK UP HERITAGE
THE LYME REGIS SOCIETY - with their charitable remit to safeguard the natural and architectural beauty of Lyme Regis and to promote interest in its cultural and historical associations - also enjoyed use of the Bakehouse and Mill this summer.
A key date for us all in the diary are the society’s HERITGAE OPEN DAYS which offer the chance to see inside many of Lyme’s historic buildings, including TOWN MILL, with some venues opening especially for the day. The society promote these venues for residents, visitors and new audiences to explore and enjoy, often for the first time, so we have been very pleased to support their endeavours and planning on how to engage more people with heritage - an objective which so closely matches our own.
VOLUNTEER CENTRE DORSET SEIZE NETWORKING MOMENTUM
July saw VOLUNTEER CENTRE DORSET - who are absolutely passionate about all things volunteer - host a networking event here in the Bakehouse focusing on “how can we engage better with volunteer and community sectors?”
A fabulous meeting which we joined as attendees with the opportunity to share best practice, table new and creative ideas and establish more community connections.
The community engagement work we are undertaking has been possible because of the generous support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund who have recognised the value of connecting community with heritage - and our own vision of seeing the Town Mill, a place originally raised from the ashes by huge community effort, as a hub for community endeavours - which we can support in a variety of ways with the spaces we have.
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the U.K.’s heritage and the support we have received by way of creating more capacity for us to engage with community groups and organisations has allowed us to look outwards from our own day-to-day needs of keeping the mill going and drive these projects forward to create opportunities that engage new people with the site in a wide variety of ways - “using our space” is one such important way.
