An 'artfelt' campaign to provide 1,200 hours' free access to craft and creativity has been launched in the Cotswolds as a potential lifeline for isolated people in the county's rural areas.

New Brewery Arts (NBA), based in Cirencester's Brewery Court, has launched the scheme under its New Brewery Hearts project and is seeking crowdfunding to lay on free access to courses for vulnerable individuals.

Beth Alden, CEO of NBA said: "We are hoping to raise £12,000 by Monday July 1. Last year's scheme delivered 19,291 hours of free participation through classes and workshops and this time around we are hoping to allow for a further 4,000 hours."

Ms Alden added: "Free spaces on our classes can bring a myriad of physical and mental-health benefits; reduced social isolation and anxiety, a sense of fulfilment, achievement and increased confidence."

As a powerful testimony to the value of NBA access, one student said: "Joining the course was a turning point for me. I live a very isolated life in a quiet village with my parents. I am neuro-diverse and suffer with dark depression. Life was empty and I had no hobbies or routine. I would lie in bed all day long and have no purpose to get up."

But they added: "I was able to get a bursary, which was amazing, as being on benefits means I don't have a lot of money to spend on myself. I look forward to my weekly sessions. I have made a friend."

Partners to the craft skills project include frontline charities Cirencester Housing for Young People, The Churn Project and Cirencester Foodbank - while the NBA has said it expects more partnerships to follow.

NBA's appeal can be donated to via this link.

● The initiative follows a prestigious tourism and leisure award for NBA with selection of a Highly Commended status in the Creative Activity Courses category in the 2024 Slow Travel Cotswolds Awards.