Arts charity says it needs to raise £50k to survive

An arts and wellbeing charity has started a campaign to raise £50,000 to keep operating after it says funding revenues have dried up.

The Hive, in Shrewsbury, said it had supported almost 50,000 children and young people through more than 200 different projects in its 19 years.

But it required "an immediate cash injection to survive and meet the increasing demand for its services", a spokesperson said.

The organisation was struggling due to high demand for funding grants and, despite meeting criteria, it had been "knocked back by the sheer volume of applications".

Additionally, the cost-of-living crisis has seen energy bills rise and the charity, based in Belmont, said its own have quadrupled.

"We find ourselves in a challenging climate where we need to appeal for help from our local communities to get through this tough time so The Hive can stay open, and continue to be a safe place for young people for years to come," chief executive Katie Jennings said.

The charity works with vulnerable young adults to help them towards living independently and supported young people in work with creative industries.

Musicians and artists are brought in to help them to feel positive, more confident and comfortable in being themselves, the charity said.

It had attracted funding of more than £4.5m over the last 19 years and chair of trustees Helen Ball said she remained optimistic about the charity’s future.

"We are hoping that some of the 48,000 people who have benefitted from our work will help us so that we can continue to offer such a valuable service to many young people for years to come," she added.

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