Sunflowers is a charity in Aigburth currently providing support to over 1700 local people following a diagnosis of cancer or other life-changing illness. We offer a busy and varied program of classes to our clientele, but lacking from our current offer are art and craft based activities. Well known for their therapeutic benefit, we’re keen to offer more arts based experiences for our clients, particularly with a view to encouraging them to try new mindful and relaxing hobbies to further enhance recovery and good mental health.

Many of our clients are vulnerable people and, post-pandemic, are still feeling the effects of living in isolation. It is important that any course is built around those who need to once more integrate into the community, but have been so mentally decimated by the effects of being alone for so long that they can’t face the usual support groups.

One of the main benefits of our programme is the social prescription that it offers. Many of our clients live alone and our programme offers them an opportunity to meet in a safe and friendly space that they know, with like-minded people who have personal experience of similar health issues.

Whilst we focus on people in our local community who are affected by cancer and long term conditions, we are also open to members of the wider community seeking to improve their own wellbeing, and the activities within the programme are open to all. We advertise upcoming events at the centre, on our social media and via word of mouth.

We’re partnering with local artists, craftspeople, and arts organisations to provide workshops, taster sessions, and classes. These partnerships will strengthen community ties, benefiting both our clients and local businesses.

Our services are free or low-cost for registered clients, with wider community members asked to pay what they can. Keeping costs low ensures we can support as many people as possible.