How the Chesterton House Foundation is Supporting Charnwood Arts

Grief is a deeply personal journey, yet one that many of us will face at some point. Finding ways to process loss and navigate the complex emotions it brings can be challenging. That’s why the Chesterton House Foundation is proud to support Charnwood Arts with a £1,000 grant to help fund their innovative new project, Grieve Breathe Create.

Using Art to Navigate Loss

Charnwood Arts, based in Loughborough, has long been committed to fostering wellbeing through creativity. Their Breathe, Create programme offers a welcoming space where people from all backgrounds can develop artistic skills, gain peer support, and explore self-expression. With over 40 participants attending weekly sessions across two sites, their impact on the community is significant.

Grieve Breathe Create is a new initiative designed to help participants explore grief and healing through creativity. Led by local artist Sam Berry, who brings personal experience of loss, the project offers six guided sessions that use art, music, and poetry as tools for reflection, emotional expression, and personal growth.

A Lasting Impact on the Community

The project will culminate in an exhibition—both in person and online—showcasing artwork, recorded music, poetry, and a printed booklet. This ensures that the impact reaches beyond the initial group of 10–12 participants, fostering broader conversation around grief and creating a sense of connection and hope for the wider community. Although this is a pilot programme, Charnwood Arts hopes to expand it into a long-term initiative, supporting more people across the region.

How the Funding is Used

The Chesterton House Foundation grant covers essential costs including artist fees, materials, travel, and reporting, enabling Charnwood Arts to deliver professional, flexible, and inclusive sessions at no cost to participants. This aligns with our mission to encourage community wellbeing, personal growth, and social connection through creative initiatives.

We’re proud to support Charnwood Arts as they use creativity to inspire, empower, and connect people, providing a space where healing, expression, and community come together.

Help Us Do More

Through the Chesterton House Foundation, we support organisations that transform lives through creativity and opportunity. If you’d like to contribute and help us extend this impact, please consider making a donation to the Foundation.