The Mother House Studios model is a unique solution to a proven lack of viable provision that sufficiently supports the professional development and wellbeing of artists during early motherhood. We offer a collaborative yet intimate space for artists to foster their creative practice whilst nurturing engaged parenting. To facilitate integration and exchange, the model creates two interconnected spaces: Studio space for professional arts practice in the form of an open art studio with desks - Children area, where a dedicated team facilitates in-house daily activities -a gallery space for exhibitions and public programme open to the community. Pilot schemes have successfully taken place in London and Stroud and we have received 100s of enquiries from people interested in replicating the model elsewhere. We have now found a possible venue in Deptford, to open the first long term Mother House and put in practice the invaluable outcomes of the previous projects.

What we'll deliver:

• Build out the studio space with 18 to 21 desks, the children area and communal spaces
• Public programme of events, activities for families, mentorship and professional development workshops for artists
• Provide affordable childcare, via an innovating model
• Employment and volunteering opportunities
• Strong community outreach, offering workshops and children activities
• Improve mental health and relationships between mothers and children
• Reduce gender inequality within the creative industries
• Show children about women's roles outside the domestic environment
• Re-invest profits in the project to maximise the social impact
• Create a sustainable and scalable social franchise model

Why it's a great idea:

Mother House’s approach was built on observations regarding childcare provision: 1. Childcare remains under-funded and scarce 2. Childcare models are invariably based on separating child from mother; mother from care and child from the workplace 3. Childcare is costly and not suited to families and women with flexible work and/or low incomes We set out to solve these issues by: 1. Providing affordable childcare, reducing costs by integrating childcare and the workplace 2. Focusing on high need groups in the creative community 3. Specifically focusing on artists, due to their specific needs and cultural influence 4. Opening out the model to the wider community Over 60 artists took part in our 3 pilot projects, engaging passionately with the concept of a shared working environment with their children. Since then we have received over 100 enquiries about how to replicate the model in many cities in UK, Europe and USA. We believe there is a need for it!

Steps to get it done:

• Finalise rent agreement and sign a contract for a 3 year commitment
• Commission a professional architect to design the internal studio spaces
• Buy furniture, children educational toys, art materials and a kitchen
• Subdivision and fit out of space
• Call out for artists via our website, our partners channels, local children centres and nurseries
• Start collecting bookings and allocate artists' space
• Plan and launch an open day event to show artists and the community the space
• Hire staff and create team of volunteers
• Planning public programme
• Studio opening

Deptford is located in one of the city's creative enterprise zones, where artists and creative talent can thrive. A recently-commissioned creative industry study found employment in this field in the borough had grown by 71% over the last five years, which is twice as high as the London average (34%). We will provide extra space for all the mothers in the sector, who wants to go back to work whilst parenting. The Mother House will sustain Lewisham commitment to support the important role of studio spaces for artists and will contribute to a vibrant community of immense diversity and positivity. The Mother House is committed to public engagement and will be scheduling an exciting programme of workshops and events for all, benefiting families , local businesses and mothers to be. Our flexible revenue model maximises income by sharing memberships and desks, allowing for yearly, monthly memberships or day passes.The model is based on the Mother House pilots and online surveys.