We contacted our friend, Fiona Adley, Co-Founder/Director, of C4S to discuss who they are, how they create a positive impact and what they enjoy about being a part of the ‘Allia Community.’
Who are Crafts4Smiles
Crafts 4 Smiles provides inclusive, accessible creative arts activities to improve mental health and wellbeing and skills so that adults can make the best contribution they can to the communities in which they live and work. Our vision is that more adults will experience positive mental health and well-being and will have the skills they need to make the best contribution they can to the communities in which they live and work. With over 45 techniques taught, our programmes foster personal and professional growth. We reach out to those who are isolated, facing life challenges, or dealing with mental health issues, including dementia but anyone who wants to learn something new or who wants to improve their wellbeing can join our courses.
What inspired your Venture?
Initially, we identified a gap in community-based, positive, and preventative activities for individuals discharged from mental health support, especially in art-based programmes. We then realised that what we were offering would be equally effective in supporting people who were experiencing a variety of ‘life challenges’ and could help to prevent worsening mental health.
Now, we work in what we describe as ‘the primary care space’ supporting GPs and other community-based practitioners in their work. Our aim is to help individuals avoid relapse or deterioriation in their wellbeing and also to reduce the pressure on primary care services.
What challenges did you face?
Securing funding was our biggest hurdle, so we worked hard to improve our bid-writing skills. Over time, as we understood our impact better, this process became easier and more successful. Establishing business systems, especially for accounting, evaluation, and data collection, was also challenging. We had to develop these systems ourselves since securing funding for them is tough. Balancing data collection with mindfulness was tricky, but our experience in mental health management and consulting helped us navigate these challenges.
How did the Grow Your Business programme help?
I joined Allia in our 5th year of operation, and the programme was excellent. It helped us reflect on progress, assess our impact, and plan for growth. Our courses boost participants’ self-confidence, self-esteem, and mental health, empowering them to overcome challenges, pursue education or employment, and engage more in their communities. This leads to better life outcomes, including reduced reliance on services. I realized that our primary business is maintaining and improving wellbeing, not just crafting—something we hadn’t always communicated clearly. The programme also provided valuable resources, networks, and expertise, especially in social media, and connected us with the wider Cambridgeshire network and other entrepreneurs.
What successes have you experienced over the programme?
Our involvement in the Allia GYB programme has been instrumental in our success. While on the programme, we successfully bid for and secured additional funding. I am certain that the opportunity to reflect on our business’s core mission and impact contributed to this achievement, enhancing our ability to deliver impactful courses. Additionally, the chance to extend our network has not only helped us grow our business but also provided access to expertise and knowledge that complements our own. The programme also facilitated valuable collaborations within the Allia network, connecting us with like-minded ventures and opening doors to joint projects and new markets. These connections have set the stage for future growth and increased impact.
