Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Fears “life-saving” art sessions will be cancelled due to funding issues

News | Emily Janes | Published: 14:03, Thursday March 28th, 2024.
Last updated: 14:46, Thursday March 28th, 2024

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Samantha attends the sessions every week

“I found it genuinely life-changing” – These are the words of Samantha Gadsden when asked about Soul Creative Circle.

The weekly sessions for women aim to promote wellbeing through art in Bargoed Library. 

Samantha, 53, held her new journal – the previous one was now full – opened to a double-page spread awash with blue paint and words focused on the week’s theme of water.

She continued: “It’s a closed space and a safe environment. I’ve worked through stuff from my childhood, from my former marriage and things to do with how busy I am with work.”

Though Samantha had only first attended to support her friend, Liz Thomas, she found the sessions so useful that she made time in her busy schedule to come every Thursday.

Participants attend the two-hour meetings and journal after receiving a set of prompts, from the more whimsical to those that go a bit deeper, all around a common theme. Some may paint, while others will draw or write.

But the ultimate goal isn’t the art but the process, which can be shared, or not, with the group at the end. 

Facilitator Liz Thomas tells participants that it is not an “art competition” or “art in school” but something “beyond that” – a process where you shouldn’t judge yourself.

Liz said: “The sharing part of the session is key to everybody understanding that they’re not alone.”

“A massive gap” in services 

Liz, 39, started the group in the summer of 2023, thanks to funding from Caerphilly Arts. 

She was previously a teacher and when art helped her through a loss she decided to retrain in circle work and art journaling facilitation.

“It helped me get through things,”  said Liz, which made her realise that this could be passed on and “help so many women”.

Liz Thomas runs Soul Creative Circle at Bargoed Library

Despite running groups and projects in other parts of south Wales, the Bargoed sessions are the only ones she runs in Caerphilly County Borough. 

Between eight and 14 women attend the meeting each week and Liz has received feedback that the sessions are “life-saving” and “life-changing”.

Liz said: “I think it gives space for people to think about themselves differently so their confidence begins to build when they start using their voice.”

It also provides a service for people waiting for interventions on the NHS. 

Liz continued: “There’s a massive gap between the services offered on the NHS, and what’s available to people and then the waiting lists are huge.”

This is why she tried to make the sessions “accessible”, Liz said: “The women here do pay £5 a week because it’s semi-funded because money is tight.”

“A moral obligation” to continue

Liz received funding from Caerphilly Arts to run the sessions, which she described as “amazing”.

However, she now fears that the group will not be able to continue after Easter due to a lack of funding. 

Liz said: “I feel personally it’s a bit of a moral obligation to continue doing something when I’ve got a group of 14 women who rely on coming.” 

The sessions take place in Bargoed Library

Liz has seen the benefits of groups like this extend further than the weekly sessions, fostering a sense of belonging and community. 

Some have been on social nights out or attended each other’s weddings. 

Liz said: “In our adult life, it’s quite hard to create bonds and friendships that are beyond the surface, so it gives that space.”

Caerphilly Observer contacted Caerphilly County Borough Council on March 7 for a comment, but has not yet received a response.

If the sessions continue, Soul Creative Circle will take place at Bargoed Library every Thursday from 10am to 12pm. Participants are asked to pay £5 towards every session.


Sign-up to our daily newsletter


Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Caerphilly Media

Latest News

  • Caerphilly Athletic cruise to victory over Undy to move within five points of top spotSunday, October 19, 2025
  • Behind the numbers: What the Caerphilly by-election poll revealsFriday, October 17, 2025
  • Around 100 people attended the event at Ty Penallta
    Ukrainians’ concerns over Nation of Sanctuary ‘misinformation’Friday, October 17, 2025
  • polling station sign
    Council clarifies which areas can vote in upcoming Senedd by-electionFriday, October 17, 2025
  • Claim council went ‘over the top’ cancelling meetings ahead of by-electionFriday, October 17, 2025
  • Michelle Morris, the public services ombudsman for Wales
    Watchdog ‘stretched to limit’ amid deluge of complaintsFriday, October 17, 2025

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 16, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 2, 2025
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Hanbury Road, BargoedThursday, September 25, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Pontygwindy Industrial EstateThursday, September 18, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.