Glossop Arts Project is going from strength to strength and they've been given a huge donation of art supplies from Manchester-based fashion brand Pretty Little Thing.

The donation was part of the company’s 12 days of giving campaign.

Elle Bromley is the Young People’s Project Development Worker at GAP. She went to the fashion label’s Manchester HQ and collected a large amount of art materials.

"One of our student’s mother’s nominated us for the donation," Elle told the Chronicle.

"I went to Pretty Little Thing to collect the donation and there was way more than anticipated. I therefore had enough stuff to wrap a Christmas present of a pencil case full of felt tip pens which is nice.”

Glossop Arts Project was set up initially to help adults with learning difficulties to express themselves through art.

Elle (pictured below) joined in 2019 with Children In Need funding to extend the programme to include young people.

She said: "It was a bumpy start because of the pandemic but now I am able to deliver two sessions a week – one after school for 11 to 16 year olds and one on a Friday afternoon for 14 to 16 year olds.

"It’s about bringing young people together and letting them express their creativity. More recently the students have been making ‘well-being’ boxes where they can keep things that make them feel good.”

Elle added: “Research proves that art is good for our mental health and wellbeing. The Pretty Little Thing donation is wonderful. They gave us pencils, sketch pads, glue….all sorts of art supplies.

"We are closed during term time, but if the young people can’t return to us in the New Year because of the pandemic, we will send out art packs to them so they can carry on with their creativity at home”.

And what about plans for the future?

Elle says she is currently working on getting some funding so she can begin a third session each week.

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