Members Statement - Bayley House Art Appeal

MEMBERS STATEMENT

‘BAYLEY HOUSE ART APPEAL’.

Tuesday, 24 June 2021.

Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:55):

Bayley House is a special organisation in my community.

They offer support to the intellectually disabled by actively engaging them through a program of exceptional services. Up to 180 clients take part each day.

Part of their service includes a rich program in the creative arts, and let me put on record how much my community looks forward to the Bayley House annual Christmas concert. It is a real highlight of the year, as too are the Bayley House art shows.

What is clear is that Bayley House’s art program is both loved and incredibly popular amongst clients. Seventy per cent of the clients want to take part in it. In short, the program is so popular that Bayley House has run out of space.

Currently their two art spaces can only accommodate 36 clients, when over 125 clients want to take part in the program. This overwhelming interest is a good problem to have and a wonderful endorsement of Bayley House’s services.

To address the need Bayley House has launched an art appeal. As Bayley House has set out, the appeal will fund a fully accessible space with specialist equipment to meet individual needs, staffed by trained art instructors and art therapists and supported by wonderful art volunteers.

The response to the appeal in the community has been heartwarming. Even our local businesses are taking part, businesses like Sports Conscious in Church Street, who have been longstanding supporters of Bayley House.

I encourage my whole community to take part in the appeal and support the wonderful work of Bayley House.