The Leith Community Pottery is a social enterprise which will give free access to working in clay and the benefits of that to mental health.
There will be classes and workshops on offer to those who have mental health issues, dementia, isolation and other physical health conditions.
There is a crowdfunding set up to raise £25,000 which is needed to buy all the tools and equipment such as a kiln and half a dozen potters’ wheels.
Andy Lang is the Potter of Leith and he is behind the project. He is a graduate of Jordanstone College in Dundee and has taught pottery at night classes for thirty years. He has had his own mental health problems over the years and says that by combining all of his experiences he hopes to help others, and himself at the same time.
Knowing that his own health improved from the minute he sat down at the potter’s wheel full-time has prompted him to offer the same ‘treatment’ for others.
He will offer places at classes on a referral basis to those who can’t pay, and there will also be places available on a paid for basis.
But back to the crowdfunding – if you donate £20 or more then they can be exchanged for goods from the gallery on the crowdfunding page. So you might get a class (they should start in January 2020) or a piece of pottery which Andy has made.
The new venture which is set up as a social enterprise (a body which is non-profit making but will pay a wage to those involved) has a home in Leith Business Centre on Marine Esplanade – now all that is needed is the funding.
If you can help Andy then get in touch with him. potterofleith@yahoo.com
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