Jarrow mum using the power of art to help children develop with new venture

Jen Elliot, 31, from Jarrow, recently quit her social work job of 10 years in order to become a full-time franchisee at the Sunderland based children’s group Artventures.

The project was established in 2011 and has grown to become a nationwide group aimed at getting children into art by running craft and creative play classes and parties up and down the country.

Inspired by taking her own daughter to an Artventure class, Jen joined the organisation last year to pursue her passion for the benefits of art and creative play for children.

She said: “ I saw the benefit of classes for my daughter. She improved her social skills, made friends, developed language skills, learned about cause and effect, had ample opportunity to develop her fine and gross motor skills and most importantly it provided us with the opportunity to have fun and make memories together.”

Artventures is an award-winning group providing a different variety of classes, including an intergenerational class, taking place at Willowdene care home, Hebburn, where the children and residents interact together and benefit from the joy that comes from art and creative play

Jen is hoping to expand her groups offering in the near future and reach out even further to the South Tyneside community by launching a disability friendly classes.

Jen holds classes all over South Tyneside, every Monday and Wednesday. To learn more, visit https://www.artventurers.co.uk/