Creating Together - Jacks Place Table

The environment

Our arts and crafts table has become a central hub for promoting sustainability at Jacks Place. By choosing a second-hand table, we reduced waste and gave new life to quality furniture, reflecting our commitment to the environment. Around this table, clients create projects using natural elements such as pine cones, feathers, leaves, and pebbles, alongside recycled and upcycled materials. It provides a dedicated space where creativity meets responsibility, encouraging everyone to see the value in reusing and repurposing resources. The table has not only supported countless eco-friendly arts activities but also strengthened our message of living more sustainably, inspiring both clients and the wider community to think about the positive impact of small, mindful choices.

The local economy

Our new larger table has already begun to open up exciting opportunities for job creation and community engagement. By enabling us to host more people at once, it allows us to collaborate with local artists and professionals while also creating the need for additional support staff, thereby generating new employment opportunities. The table has become a focal point for workshops and community events such as seasonal flower pressing, botanical art, Christmas card making, and wreath workshops. These activities not only boost the health and wellbeing of participants but also contribute to the local economy, as attendees often make use of nearby shops, cafés, and pubs before or after their visits to Jacks Place. Looking ahead, we are working with Worcestershire Growth Hub to explore the table’s role in supporting digital and literacy skills workshops. With so many people in our rural community facing isolation, this initiative will provide essential opportunities for skill development, confidence building, and connection.

Volunteering, jobs & education

The addition of our larger table has already made a huge difference – it has allowed us to host more creative and community activities, deliver workshops, and welcome a greater number of people into our space. This growth has also meant that we have now taken on another member of staff, strengthening our team and ensuring we can support the increasing number of activities we are delivering. We are also delighted to now be offering two volunteer placements from Malvern, where volunteers assist with activities and engage directly with our clients. Alongside this, we continue to work with local businesses and professionals who are keen to support us through volunteering, training, and creative projects. These developments are helping us expand the opportunities available not only for our clients but also for the wider community. From horticultural therapy and seasonal arts workshops to digital skills training and autism awareness sessions, the table has become a catalyst for connection, learning, and wellbeing.

Arts, culture & heritage

We are proud that Jacks Place is becoming a space that celebrates the rich arts and cultural heritage of the Malvern Hills. Our larger table now enables us to host cultural events, creative workshops, and community gatherings. We already welcome groups such as Regents House, Worcester, who bring their dementia clients to take part in free arts and crafts sessions, and we plan to extend this offer to other nursing homes. Looking ahead, we are excited to collaborate with local artists and cultural organisations to create projects that promote cultural exchange, artistic expression, and heritage within our community.