Artist/Illustrator

Studio since: November 2023

Bio: Yen was born in 1981 in Scunthorpe and graduated with a BA (Hons) Illustration in 2005 at the University of Lincoln.

He loves drawing people in the form of life drawings, fantasy characters and caricatures which he also did for local events.

After a few years of working in film production in Sheffield with projects that includes storyboarding and animation, he took a long hiatus away from anything creative due to illness with his mental health and returned to his home town in Scunthorpe to recover.

In 2023, Yen has a new perspective in his art as an Illustrator and will use his new studio space to create new art and some will focus on advocating the importance of looking after your mental health.

He has written and illustrated a children's picture book called 'Billie Stormer Wears Too Many Hats' which has a theme about mental health based on his ien experiences. The book has yet to be completed with the full handrawn colour work but the mock-up book he made was well received from different communities and organisations from libraries, focus groups, craft fairs and business networking events. His ultimate goal is to get this book published and break the stigma about this subject. He wants to open up conversations about mental health with families and their children.

He has also returned to doing caricatures for events and introduced drawing workshops based on mental health and drawing caricatures.

He has applied for funding recently to develop his practice and uf successful, he has a project planned in which he will create two sketchbooks based on his travels to explore art and mental health in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong. He will create new work and at the end of this project, he would like to have a solo exhibition to showcase these artwork.

Socials: IG: @yenip_artstudio

Facebook page: Yen Ip Art Studio

How is it working for you?

Tell us your thoughts on the functionality of the website - is it easy to use?

What do you use your gritcoin for?

How do you find the functionality of gritcoin? i.e. booking studio time, recieving vouchers, etc.

In this meeting we will:

• learn how to administer the library

• explore using the new volunteer padlet page

• talk about the current Project

• walkthrough current activities

• discuss potential new activities

Meeting Notes:

attending: Emily, Sheena, Lena, Alex, Yen, Abby, Sarah & Michael

• When you started volunteering (month & year)

  Summer 2023!

  
  

• Skills

  Adobe skills, film and analogue photography, digital marketing, teaching.

  
  

• Want to learn

  
  

• How you'd encourage new volunteers to join

  
  

• Advice you'd give to new volunteers

  Take the plunge and try something new!

  
  

Skills

• Illustration

• Crafts

• Friendly

• Trying new things

• Creative assistance

Wants to learn

• Teaching

• Improve art skills

• Improve writing fictional stories

• Improve communication skills

• Confidence building

• Building friendships

• Improve with drawing workshops - for children, teenagers and adults.

How you'd encourage new volunteers to join

• come in and look around

• talk to Michael & other volunteers

• Helps you get out of the house and socialize

Advice you'd give to new volunteers

• have fun

• everyone has something they can bring to the table

• don't be shy to share your ideas

Skills

• Communication

• Specialised with working with children

• good with IT skills

Want to learn

• To be more confdient with new things

• To develop connections with people

How you would encourage new volunterrs to join

• Anyone at the fountain arts desk is friendly to speak to when you first come in

• come in to find out what fountain arts is about

Advice you will give to new volunteers

• Just be yourself

• If you have any questions while your here just ask as everyone is friendly and helpful

• To have fun

A sign showing no public toilets, this would help enforce the message from volunteers as some people can be very pushy and insistent and it is difficult to say no!

Lena

Make a list of all of the things that need to be fixed/updated/changed

Make a note of any design features we need to improve as well as functionality

Notes:

Attending: yen, Alex, joey, Sarah, Abby, sue, Emily, Michael, Sheena

Volunteer report

Solution to volunteer hours booking & gritcoin log by next board meeting. If accepted, will be rolled out for next volunteer meeting.

Use board meeting section on padlet

Accesssing padlet/using the laptop

Next volunteer project
Drawing & painting lemons

Video podcast interview with volunteers (see current projects) six pictures that changed your life

31 March: Abby

7 April: Michael

14 April: Emily

21 April: Alex

5 May: Yen

12 May: Lena

Agenda

• Managing difficult and challenging people workshop

• Has everyone put their name down for the training they want? - done

• Reminder of upcoming board meeting - have you posted your input? - done

• Reminder to update your volunteer profile - done

• Library ethics check - mentioned

• Current Project/ Activity Update - done

• Opportunities - thanks to sheena and emily for clothed figure modelling - they had good experience doing it

• Library Update - video tutorials.

• Suggestions / Improvements for Board Meeting

  improvements made - rope, temporary until sliding door installed.

• Gritcoin Update

  automation! gritcoin vouchers sent automatically at end of booked volunteer slot. active from 12 april.

• A.O.B

  podcasts started! first two done.

• Date of Next Meeting...9 May 5:30 - 6:30pm?
  
  

• signposting people to orgs for help with mental health and wellbeing

• share library cataloging tutorial - where to find it

• reminder to familarise yourself with the padlet & make sure you're posting in a relevant post/column

• board meeting

• aob

Attending: Sheena, Lena, Emily, Yen, Sarah, Sue, Michael

mind office just past security office. samaritans just past the pub. victor house next to "colour crazy" hairdressers

• https://talkingtherapies.rdash.nhs.uk/about-nhs-north-lincs-talking-therapies/self-referral-form/

• https://www.nlmind.org/our-services

• https://www.livewellnorthlincolnshire.org.uk/service/4643946d-a863-1ca1-04c4-10733ba55520/victor-house

• https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/local-hubs/north-lincolnshire

every meeting put on agenda to discuss signposting public (or us) to support

get leaflets from any relevant services

Its important we feel safe in the studio and capable of managing challenging situations.

Security team 2 min walk away. Carl or Wayne (security) number on poster by Michael's desk. Feel free to save their number in your phone.

We are CCTV protected. Take a look around to familiarise yourself with their locations. Feel free to point them out to challenging people, they are an effective deterrent.

Identifying someone with challenging behaviour - shouting, sweating, making threats, being demanding, getting in your personal space (within arms length).

Worst thing to do is ignore it. It can get worse and it gives them permission to behave like that in the space.

Your body language is important. Keep your hands available and visible.

If someone takes a step away from you they're uncomfortable, you should take a step away too.

Try avoid facing someone, stand at an angle away from them if possible.

Keep your voice calm, slow and low tone.

Humans naturally mirror each other. 

Do your very best to stay calm in these situations!

There should be another person in the studio.

If you're in the back and hear something concerning, make sure you go assist the volunteer at the front of the studio.

Safe word is "is Andy available?" and means we need help from other volunteers.

Don't stand by the door, it blocks the exit.

Inconspicuously guide people to the exit, slowly walk toward door whilst having a conversation.

Maybe ask "what are you doing later?" 

Listen to them, nod, people like to be heard, especially when they are unhappy. Use encouraging noises.

"How can I help?" "Can I get you a glass of water?" - plastic cup though! Not even a mug. Don't leave them alone in the front.

House rules are on the wall by the windows. Refer to these. "I'm sorry these are our rules I have to ask you to leave". Protect us and members of the public using the service/space. 

Don't physically remove someone. Call security instead.

When calling security, if Carl or Wayne don't answer, call police 999.

If a person giving you trouble takes a step outside the door, close it and lock it.

If door is locked people can move into the back, get out of view of windows.

If there's two challenging people they could cause a distraction while the other steals. Be aware of this. Work together if this happens.

If people wanna steal stuff, let them. It's stuff. You're more important.

If you're on your own and need to go into the back, use the back in 10 sign and lock the door.

If there's a group of people being dangerous and you're on your own, leave.

Call security or walk to the office. Even use back door (fire door) in real emergency.

Your safety is most important.

Something bad happening outside? Don't get involved.

Concerned about anything? Call security.

Public can't use toilets. Exceptions, kids covered in paint with a parent.

Nearest public toilet is in market. 

Be conscious of those with additional needs, they can be challenging in different ways. 

Public personal hygiene - it's not our place to have conversations with people about personal hygiene but it is a sign they're a vulnerable person so be sensitive, as with any people that may have additional needs. 

Other challenges include people unable to understand social cues or personal space. People who struggle with hearing or speech.

• no volunteering until july summer break 11 june - 4 july

• date for next meeting

  11th july 5.30 - 6.30

• notes for agm

  see board meeting column

• gritcoin update

  last solution had issues, i.e. only able to use one voucher at a time

  new solution, loyalty points scheme type thing. available when booking studio/workshops/courses.

  still need solution for gifting gritcoin.

• aob

  if you're struggling to talk to visitors that are dead/hoh you can find basic sign language lessons on youtube. (make sure it's bsl not asl)

  
  

attending: abbi, yen, joey, alex, emily, sarah, sue

random notes: Michael please look here!

• When will we be able to afford shutters? doesn't feel very secure for studio holders.

• in the winter it gets really cold - health issue. is it possible to turn heating on for studio holders? we know it's already on during public hours but what about us?

• heating problem solving - possibly increase prices for studios. there's funding for health and safety. studio holders heating donation box; if you use the heating, put money in. bring in blankets, hot water bottles, wheat bags, etc.

• when is training happening? been waiting ages.

• do people need a teaching qualification to help out with evening classes?

• r.e. - classes/workshops - abbi can teach gouache or acrylic, yen can teach caricature, emily can teach general crafts, scrapbooking, sue can teach crafts, sarah can teach photography.

• if we don't need formal qual for teaching, can we get a workshop on teaching?

• can we provide equivalent of gcse or a level art courses?

• we need business cards!!!!

• can michael delegate more. i.e. things we're waiting on like business cards, e.g.

• can we have access to fountain arts calendar? then we can see who's in when etc

• can we put the admin@fountainarts.org password on here please

• still need solution for double booking volunteer hours.

• please can we have a visitors book!!! for feedback from public

• do we need to make a note of donations?

• could make note of donations in visitors book

• can we make the front more welcoming. was good when we had lots of smaller tables dotted around.

• we need a mouse! - emily said she might have one to donate

• can we put the font on padlet

• when is podcast coming out?

update from board meeting:

• business planning meeting scheduled in july, will discuss a deputy role

• will create a space on the padlet r.e. funding and will be updated every quarter after board meetings

• gritcoin work from home solution - will add a work from home option to book on the website

top 3 medals

• we've become a good team, taking initiative etc. volunteer meetings have been beneficial. we don't need to rely on michael as much.

• gritcoin makes fountain super accessible. but even without being paid gritcoin we benefit from volunteering. it makes us feel appreciated and valued.

• good feedback from public i.e. public activities. - parents enjoying activities, it's not just for kids.

top 3 missions

• we need a deputy type role. someone just under michael. need to sort trusted volunteers.

• can we be in the loop with funding? maybe put updates on the padlet.

• Need a way to manage gritcoin when volunteering from home

top comments

• fountain arts is moving forward. feels like people know who we are more now.

Skills:

• Illustration

• Animation

• Editing

• Adobe software

• Crafts

• Trying new things

• Making a mess

  
  

Wants to learn:

• To get more confident talking to others

• Improve my skills

• To run workshops (eventually)

• Build employability skills

• Find opportunities

  
  

How you'd encourage new volunteers to join:

• Talk about my experiences

• Explain what Fountain Arts is about

• Discuss how their skills would be useful to us

• Bring them to creative socials

• Encourage them to talk with Michael

  
  

Advice you'd give to new volunteers:

• Take a leap! Try something new

• Have an idea? Share it! It's always useful to hear what you think

• Enjoy yourself!

  
  

• go over last meetings notes - give answers

• reminder of "is andy available?"

• reminder to be checking padlet every so often

• is there anything we can be working on as a team right now?

• aob

Attending: Issac, Emily, Caitlin, Sarah, Sheena, Lena, Yen

• Video tutorial for current activity? (Making butterflies)

• Autumn activity, has anyone got started with the leaf garland? - what's the next activity?

• Share volunteer calendar

• Michael to talk about Gritcoin/website update, funding updates and holiday closures and training

• A.O.B

Attending:

activities -

garland making - public to make leaf shapes and write on them "what do you like most about autumn?"

make sure leaf shapes are from native trees

variety of leaf shapes, but big enough to write a word or two on.

to do:

• make templates

• make some pre cut leaves

• make a sign for the a board

  
  

materials:

• coloured paper/card

• cardboard for templates

• pens / pencils

• scissors

• string

• tiny pegs? to attach leaf to string

• 
  

We agreed to share our regular hours so they could be put together in a spreadsheet and shared here.

So far the only people on there are those that were at the meeting, but please comment below with the hours you expect to be volunteering each week (if you don't keep a set schedule that's okay, you don't have to be on this, it's entirely optional)

“Spring woodland”

New beginnings; Spring , new life, Rabbits, Chicks, lambs, large trees etc for display and smaller items for activities

Make a list of all of the things that need to be fixed/updated/changed

Make a note of any design features we need to improve as well as functionality

31 March: Abby

7 April: Michael

14 April: Emily

21 April: Alex

5 May: Yen

12 May: Lena

activities -

garland making - public to make leaf shapes and write on them "what do you like most about autumn?"

make sure leaf shapes are from native trees

variety of leaf shapes, but big enough to write a word or two on.

to do:

• make templates

• make some pre cut leaves

• make a sign for the a board

  
  

materials:

• coloured paper/card

• cardboard for templates

• pens / pencils

• scissors

• string

• tiny pegs? to attach leaf to string

• 
  

Missions - What hasn't gone so well? How can we learn from that? Ideas on making volunteering better for everyone?

What can we do better to improve your experience as a volunteer:

Please upload all of the required information here. Thank you! 

top 3 medals

• we've become a good team, taking initiative etc. volunteer meetings have been beneficial. we don't need to rely on michael as much.

• gritcoin makes fountain super accessible. but even without being paid gritcoin we benefit from volunteering. it makes us feel appreciated and valued.

• good feedback from public i.e. public activities. - parents enjoying activities, it's not just for kids.

top 3 missions

• we need a deputy type role. someone just under michael. need to sort trusted volunteers.

• can we be in the loop with funding? maybe put updates on the padlet.

• Need a way to manage gritcoin when volunteering from home

top comments

• fountain arts is moving forward. feels like people know who we are more now.

Since fountain arts began in 2022 Michael has been our spokesperson but it's time to have our voice heard.

This padlet is how we do that!

Scroll down to see the posts on each section and scroll to the side to view other sections.

• Has everyone watched the tutorial for current activity? (Making butterflies)

• discuss autumn activity, has anyone got started with the leaf garland? - what's the next activity?

• share volunteer calendar

• Watch library catalog tutorial

• Michael to talk about gritcoin/website update

1 gritcoin = £10 to spend on the website (studio time, workshops, etc). you can also use them to exchange time with other volunteers. want to use someone for their services? pay them with gritcoin

If you hear this it means someone needs help from other volunteers regarding a difficult member of the public.

Call Wayne or Carl (security)

07795834518

Please drop them off in the plastic bin in the kitchen. Thank you!

Child Safeguarding 8 places (16th August at VANL 10am - 1pm)

Interested: Sarah, Emily , Lena, Yen, Sue, Caitlin

Confirmed:

DBS: Sarah, Emily, Yen, Lena, Sheena, Sue, Caitlin @£15.50pp.

First Aid: Sarah, Emily, Yen, Lena, Alex, Sheena, Sue

St Johns Ambulance - First Aid Awareness, Life-Saving Skills (Community Vision Training: 1st November 10-12:30 VANL Robert Street) 8 places.

Confirmed:

Fraud and Cyber Awareness - 1 Aug online. Zoom. 10:30 - 12 ? Can come down to the office together.

Visual done, transcript done, needs voice over - extend loans, check out reserved, check in, check out (not reserved)

Children - metallic pale pink circle

Contemporary Art - blue circle

Craft - red circle

Critical Theory - metallic teal circle

Curation - green circle

Drawing - metallic magenta circle

Education - white semi circle

Exhibition Guides - yellow semi circle

Fashion & Style - small silver circle

Fiction - metallic teal semi circle

Graphic Design - sky blue circle

History - gold circle

Human Science -

Illustration - metallic bronze circle

Local Interest - green semi circle

Magazines - black circle

Masters of Art - red semi circle

Painting - metallic magenta semi circle

Philosophy - blue semi circle

Photography - metallic bronze semi circle

Poetry - pale pink circle

World Art - metallic pale pink semi circle

Zines - metallic purple circle

• Classic Origami

• Suruba

These books aren't on the shelves - where are they????

• When you started volunteering (month & year)

  Summer 2023!

  
  

• Skills

  Adobe skills, film and analogue photography, digital marketing, teaching.

  
  

• Want to learn

  
  

• How you'd encourage new volunteers to join

  
  

• Advice you'd give to new volunteers

  Take the plunge and try something new!

  
  

• Started December 2023

  
  

• Skills

  • Drawing

  • Graphic Design

  • Photoshop

  • Active Listener

  • Wii Bowling

    
    

• Want to learn

  • Drawing Persepctive (Getting Angles Right)

  • Digital Drawing

  • Caricatures

  • Painting

  • How to be less socially anxious

    
    

• How you'd encourage new volunteers to join

  • Come meet new people

  • Everyone is really friendly

  • Haven for creative types of any level

  • Come and shine, be yourself and show Scunthorpe how amazing you are!

    
    

• Advice you'd give to new volunteers

  • Come to a social or two as they vary in style

  • Don't push yourself into situations you don't want to be in, there is plenty to do for anyone.

  • Don't feel pressured to volunteer several times, go at your own pace. Even volunteering the once is really hepful and appreciated!

    
    

Skills

• IT literacy

• Admin

• Website management

• Library management

• Photography

• Problem solving

  
  

Wants to learn

• how to be less chaotic when teaching

• GDPR

How you'd encourage new volunteers to join

get out the house and socialize! perfect for disabled people unable to work. go at your own pace and feel safe with your accessiblity taken into account. it's an opportunity to use skills you may have thought you've forgotten, and even learn new ones!

Advice you'd give to new volunteers

relax, make yourself at home. open your mouth, share your thoughts and ideas. be yourself, explore yourself! got worries? share them! there's no such thing as a silly question. oh and of course have fun!

Skills

• Communication

• Specialised with working with children

• good with IT skills

Want to learn

• To be more confdient with new things

• To develop connections with people

How you would encourage new volunterrs to join

• Anyone at the fountain arts desk is friendly to speak to when you first come in

• come in to find out what fountain arts is about

Advice you will give to new volunteers

• Just be yourself

• If you have any questions while your here just ask as everyone is friendly and helpful

• To have fun

Skills

• Good communicator

• I am a friendly and welcoming person

• Very good listener

• I like to encourage arts and crafts to the community

Good organisation skills

Want to learn

• To build my confidence to deliver craft workshops

• To learn photoshop

How you'd encourage new volunteers to join

• By sharing my experiences

• Talking about volunteer jobs that are available

Advice you'd give to new volunteers

• To be very welcoming

• To read all information that is avaiable for each volunteer

• Show a willingness to help and answer questions about the organsation of fountain arts.

Skills:

• Illustration

• Animation

• Editing

• Adobe software

• Crafts

• Trying new things

• Making a mess

  
  

Wants to learn:

• To get more confident talking to others

• Improve my skills

• To run workshops (eventually)

• Build employability skills

• Find opportunities

  
  

How you'd encourage new volunteers to join:

• Talk about my experiences

• Explain what Fountain Arts is about

• Discuss how their skills would be useful to us

• Bring them to creative socials

• Encourage them to talk with Michael

  
  

Advice you'd give to new volunteers:

• Take a leap! Try something new

• Have an idea? Share it! It's always useful to hear what you think

• Enjoy yourself!

  
  

Skills

• Illustration

• Crafts

• Friendly

• Trying new things

• Creative assistance

Wants to learn

• Teaching

• Improve art skills

• Improve writing fictional stories

• Improve communication skills

• Confidence building

• Building friendships

• Prepare for employment

How you'd encourage new volunteers to join

• come in and look around

• talk to Michael & other volunteers

• Helps you get out of the house and socialize

Advice you'd give to new volunteers

• have fun

• everyone has something they can bring to the table

• don't be shy to share your ideas

PLEASE NOTE: Any photographs of people taken, that cearly show their face, MUST be consented to and a consent form signed by the individual. If the person in the picture is under 13 years old, a parent / guardian MUST sign the consent form for them BEFORE any images are taken. All pictures must be captured on the fountain arts iPhone (ask Michael for this).

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you take photographs of children on your own phones or cameras, this is a breach of our child safeguarding policy.

A sign showing no public toilets, this would help enforce the message from volunteers as some people can be very pushy and insistent and it is difficult to say no!

Lena

What do you use your gritcoin for?

How do you find the functionality of gritcoin? i.e. booking studio time, recieving vouchers, etc.

How is it working for you?

Tell us your thoughts on the functionality of the website - is it easy to use?

Laptop: cr34t1vity

fountain Blue - #00A2E8

fountain yellow #F2B705

fountain pale yellow - #FFEF98

We agreed to share our regular hours so they could be put together in a spreadsheet and shared here.

So far the only people on there are those that were at the meeting, but please comment below with the hours you expect to be volunteering each week (if you don't keep a set schedule that's okay, you don't have to be on this, it's entirely optional)

In this meeting we will:

• learn how to administer the library

• explore using the new volunteer padlet page

• talk about the current Project

• walkthrough current activities

• discuss potential new activities

Meeting Notes:

attending: Emily, Sheena, Lena, Alex, Yen, Abby, Sarah & Michael

• no volunteering until july summer break 11 june - 4 july

• date for next meeting

  11th july 5.30 - 6.30

• notes for agm

  see board meeting column

• gritcoin update

  last solution had issues, i.e. only able to use one voucher at a time

  new solution, loyalty points scheme type thing. available when booking studio/workshops/courses.

  still need solution for gifting gritcoin.

• aob

  if you're struggling to talk to visitors that are dead/hoh you can find basic sign language lessons on youtube. (make sure it's bsl not asl)

  
  

attending: abbi, yen, joey, alex, emily, sarah, sue

random notes: Michael please look here!

• When will we be able to afford shutters? doesn't feel very secure for studio holders.

• in the winter it gets really cold - health issue. is it possible to turn heating on for studio holders? we know it's already on during public hours but what about us?

• heating problem solving - possibly increase prices for studios. there's funding for health and safety. studio holders heating donation box; if you use the heating, put money in. bring in blankets, hot water bottles, wheat bags, etc.

• when is training happening? been waiting ages.

• do people need a teaching qualification to help out with evening classes?

• r.e. - classes/workshops - abbi can teach gouache or acrylic, yen can teach caricature, emily can teach general crafts, scrapbooking, sue can teach crafts, sarah can teach photography.

• if we don't need formal qual for teaching, can we get a workshop on teaching?

• can we provide equivalent of gcse or a level art courses?

• we need business cards!!!!

• can michael delegate more. i.e. things we're waiting on like business cards, e.g.

• can we have access to fountain arts calendar? then we can see who's in when etc

• can we put the admin@fountainarts.org password on here please

• still need solution for double booking volunteer hours.

• please can we have a visitors book!!! for feedback from public

• do we need to make a note of donations?

• could make note of donations in visitors book

• can we make the front more welcoming. was good when we had lots of smaller tables dotted around.

• we need a mouse! - emily said she might have one to donate

• can we put the font on padlet

• when is podcast coming out?

update from board meeting:

• business planning meeting scheduled in july, will discuss a deputy role

• will create a space on the padlet r.e. funding and will be updated every quarter after board meetings

• gritcoin work from home solution - will add a work from home option to book on the website

Notes:

Attending: yen, Alex, joey, Sarah, Abby, sue, Emily, Michael, Sheena

Volunteer report

Solution to volunteer hours booking & gritcoin log by next board meeting. If accepted, will be rolled out for next volunteer meeting.

Use board meeting section on padlet

Accesssing padlet/using the laptop

Next volunteer project
Drawing & painting lemons

Video podcast interview with volunteers (see current projects) six pictures that changed your life

Agenda

• Managing difficult and challenging people workshop

• Has everyone put their name down for the training they want? - done

• Reminder of upcoming board meeting - have you posted your input? - done

• Reminder to update your volunteer profile - done

• Library ethics check - mentioned

• Current Project/ Activity Update - done

• Opportunities - thanks to sheena and emily for clothed figure modelling - they had good experience doing it

• Library Update - video tutorials.

• Suggestions / Improvements for Board Meeting

  improvements made - rope, temporary until sliding door installed.

• Gritcoin Update

  automation! gritcoin vouchers sent automatically at end of booked volunteer slot. active from 12 april.

• A.O.B

  podcasts started! first two done.

• Date of Next Meeting...9 May 5:30 - 6:30pm?
  
  

• signposting people to orgs for help with mental health and wellbeing

• share library cataloging tutorial - where to find it

• reminder to familarise yourself with the padlet & make sure you're posting in a relevant post/column

• board meeting

• aob

Attending: Sheena, Lena, Emily, Yen, Sarah, Sue, Michael

mind office just past security office. samaritans just past the pub. victor house next to "colour crazy" hairdressers

• https://talkingtherapies.rdash.nhs.uk/about-nhs-north-lincs-talking-therapies/self-referral-form/

• https://www.nlmind.org/our-services

• https://www.livewellnorthlincolnshire.org.uk/service/4643946d-a863-1ca1-04c4-10733ba55520/victor-house

• https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/local-hubs/north-lincolnshire

every meeting put on agenda to discuss signposting public (or us) to support

get leaflets from any relevant services

• go over last meetings notes - give answers

• reminder of "is andy available?"

• reminder to be checking padlet every so often

• is there anything we can be working on as a team right now?

• aob

Attending: Issac, Emily, Caitlin, Sarah, Sheena, Lena, Yen

Its important we feel safe in the studio and capable of managing challenging situations.

Security team 2 min walk away. Carl or Wayne (security) number on poster by Michael's desk. Feel free to save their number in your phone.

We are CCTV protected. Take a look around to familiarise yourself with their locations. Feel free to point them out to challenging people, they are an effective deterrent.

Identifying someone with challenging behaviour - shouting, sweating, making threats, being demanding, getting in your personal space (within arms length).

Worst thing to do is ignore it. It can get worse and it gives them permission to behave like that in the space.

Your body language is important. Keep your hands available and visible.

If someone takes a step away from you they're uncomfortable, you should take a step away too.

Try avoid facing someone, stand at an angle away from them if possible.

Keep your voice calm, slow and low tone.

Humans naturally mirror each other. 

Do your very best to stay calm in these situations!

There should be another person in the studio.

If you're in the back and hear something concerning, make sure you go assist the volunteer at the front of the studio.

Safe word is "is Andy available?" and means we need help from other volunteers.

Don't stand by the door, it blocks the exit.

Inconspicuously guide people to the exit, slowly walk toward door whilst having a conversation.

Maybe ask "what are you doing later?" 

Listen to them, nod, people like to be heard, especially when they are unhappy. Use encouraging noises.

"How can I help?" "Can I get you a glass of water?" - plastic cup though! Not even a mug. Don't leave them alone in the front.

House rules are on the wall by the windows. Refer to these. "I'm sorry these are our rules I have to ask you to leave". Protect us and members of the public using the service/space. 

Don't physically remove someone. Call security instead.

When calling security, if Carl or Wayne don't answer, call police 999.

If a person giving you trouble takes a step outside the door, close it and lock it.

If door is locked people can move into the back, get out of view of windows.

If there's two challenging people they could cause a distraction while the other steals. Be aware of this. Work together if this happens.

If people wanna steal stuff, let them. It's stuff. You're more important.

If you're on your own and need to go into the back, use the back in 10 sign and lock the door.

If there's a group of people being dangerous and you're on your own, leave.

Call security or walk to the office. Even use back door (fire door) in real emergency.

Your safety is most important.

Something bad happening outside? Don't get involved.

Concerned about anything? Call security.

Public can't use toilets. Exceptions, kids covered in paint with a parent.

Nearest public toilet is in market. 

Be conscious of those with additional needs, they can be challenging in different ways. 

Public personal hygiene - it's not our place to have conversations with people about personal hygiene but it is a sign they're a vulnerable person so be sensitive, as with any people that may have additional needs. 

Other challenges include people unable to understand social cues or personal space. People who struggle with hearing or speech.

Priority = GET PEOPLE BOOKED ON A TOUR, if not get them to take a map and scan the QR Codes.

Physically book people on the tour by encouraging them to scan the QR code and book whilst in the space. Ask to help them if they are struggling with booking.

About the Project:

INTO TOWN is an...

"alternative history of Scunthorpe town centre"

Free blue maps in CD cases to give away & interactive guided tour.

Project is funded by UK govt. Building shared knowledge with public about our town centre and our history.

Activity:

How do you want to be remembered in Scunthorpe?

Draw a self - portrait using the template provided and write a response to the question: 'How do you want to be remembered in Scunthorpe?' on the yellow sheet.

When complete attach self-portrait to response with a toilet roll and attach to the map on the wall.

Learning:

Heritage hut with local books and info in library area.

Agenda:

• in future, will be going over parts of the policy in volunteer meetings

• show people how to find the activity demo

• current project: project space is empty. next project - into town. "alternative history of Scunthorpe town centre" - map + interactive guided tour. every saturday kids will be here to be part of the project. every sunday adults will be here to be part of the project. long term result - there'll be a guide to hand to members of public. short term - there'll be some guided tours, tickets available with info in the window. free project, funded by govt. building knowledge with public. if someone comes in with knowledge, ask if we can record that so they can be a part of the project. volunteer responsibilities, tell people! ask if they want to participate, then listen to stories, getting them to write it down or recording it (audio/video) michael to add prompts to the padlet. ongoing there'll be a "heritage station" with resources on local history

• we have a printer/photocopier! a3 colour. was donated by a company in leeds who were impressed with the into town project. will be working out a procedure on how volunteers/studio holders can use it and pay for what they've used. NO public use.

• visit from people from the library next week. we'll be asking for the expertise and then hopefully some cash.

• opening to public from tomorrow time tbc, but michael will be here from 10

• good news! electricity contract ends, so new contract has been able to be renegotiated at 60% less!!

• more good news - north lincs council have agreed to not charge us any business rate relief going forward AND have that backdated, saving us 9k a year

• weekly schedule - fiddled with the website to see if we could put it there but didn't really work. so, why do we actually want this? is it because we don't have enough volunteers and people are worried shifts aren't being covered? solution - gonna do a recruitment drive for more volunteers during specific hours and specific roles - i.e. front of house.

• most experienced volunteers get together to create a " Volunteer handbook". change the expectation from "you can do what ever you want" to "which of these slots that need filling can you fill?"

• make sure we're putting jobs that need doing on here! so we can pick up on those things.

• make a list of "every day jobs" on padlet in interim before volunteer padlet.

• training - child safeguarding training was cancelled. will be rearranged.

• gritcoin - what can people offer? what do people need? let's add peoples services to padlet.

• gritcoin automation is working! no problems there! makes it easier for those not confident with i.t. to manage.

• make sure we don't allow people to eat and drink in exhibition space.

• make a birthday calendar on the padlet - please put your birthday in the comments!

• Daily tasks

• volunteer meetings

• policy

• gritcoin

• visitor numbers

• using the website / booking volunteer sessions

• what you can spend your gritcoin on

• library management (infographics?)

• where to find the laptop

• using padlet

• managing difficult and challenging people

• house rules

• emergency procedures

• list first aiders

• passwords

• how to use printer

daily routine - am / pm. what needs doing first?

shift routines

If you're not on the list and have something to say, please comment below!

Skills: Photography, oil painting, writing, working in the background to support others, cleaning, eating cake.

Wants to: Develop self-confidence and connect with other creative people. improve my skills.

Studio since November 2024

A visit to Hull Ferens Art Gallery many years ago sparked in me a love of paint and canvas. At that time I was particularly attracted to paintings from the Baroque period. Currently I am inspired by the timelessness of nature and enjoy painting landscapes, especially scenes which contain a river or stream. My primary medium is oil paint in a realist style, though I occasionally work in acrylic or mixed media.

Past projects have included portraits of people and animals. One of my portraits is in the collection at Trinity House in Hull.

At Fountain Arts I hope to be inspired, expand my portfolio and explore different painting techniques.

• Chair - Lena

• Minutes - Sarah

• Attendance - Abby, Anna, Lena, Yen, Sarah

• Last minutes - questions? make sure to read AND sign safeguarding agreement, find it on here under "safeguarding".

• Current activity/project - closed until 9th January. Caitlyn getting through podcast editing. IntoTown continuing in new year.

• Library video - we will get gdpr training, this will be needed to get people to book onto the library so that they can borrow books. At the moment we are able to write down people's info if they want to borrow a book, we will need their email, if the person doesn't have an email, their phone number and address. email this to Admin@fountainarts.org and can be picked up by sarah to be updated on the system.

• Policy - no padlet update. please can Michael update agenda before each volunteer meeting, especially if not attending. can we get a copy of the fire policy (and others) uploaded to padlet.

• Board report - repeat this in January. alternating volunteer rep each time. next time, Abby. Available for future meetings: Lena, Yen, Anna.

• Date of next meeting -

  fire safety needs addressing asap but if the policy can be uploaded here next meeting date thursday february 13th 5pm - 6pm

• AOB - gdpr needs prioritizing. what's happening with the paid role?

Agenda:

• Chair - Sue

• Minutes - Michael

• Attendance - Sue, Anna, Ugne, Yen, Michael

• Current activity/project -

  Course waiting list contact form

  Join website

• Review of the previous project - Comments on wall in project space.

• Opportunities -

• GDPR training update - May

• Open university free training on website. Update of policy. Deliver the training.

• Policy updates - Safeguarding adults.

• Board report and Volunteer Representation

  April 15th 6-7:30pm

• Date of next meeting - 8th May 5 - 6:30pm

• AOB -

First Aid Awareness, Life-Saving Skills

Community Vision (VANL)

Robert Street 8 places available

Confirmed: Sarah, Yen, Lena, Michael

14th November 5:30 - 7:30pm (in place of our Volunteer Meeting)

Child Safeguarding

Confirmed: Sarah, Lena, Yen

29th November Thursday 12 December 1pm - 2:30pm

Fraud and Cyber Awareness:

ZOOM or in person at Community Vision (VANL)

Robert Street 8 places available:

Sarah, Yen , Lena.

Lena confirmed

Training yet to be arranged:

GDPR: Sarah, Lena, Abby, Yen, Sheena, Sue

DBS: Sarah, Yen, Lena, Sue, @£15.50pp.

Agenda:

• Chair: Yen

• Minutes:

• Attendance - Attended - Michael, Anna, Ugne, Alex, Joe, Yen, Lena

  
  

• Current activity/project -

  NEW TECHNOLOGY

  Worksheet

  
  

• Opportunities - Reflection on complaint, 3D Printing demonstration,

  
  

• Changes in Volunteer studio holders / Studio holders

  
  

• CREATIVE SOCIAL - May/June - Do we still need to do it as frequent? Bring back Artist Talk, Open Studios, Film night (Joe will be in charge) Costume night (make your own costumes), Potential for young art students takeover?

  
  

• Signage update and sharing of current ideas

  
  

• Yen's board report and Volunteer Representation

  April 15th 6-7:30pm

  
  

• Gift for Chloe

  
  

• AOB

  
  

• Date of next meeting: Thursday 8th May 5 - 6:30pm

  
  

10 - 1pm

This week:

23 May Friday

24 May Saturday

Next week:

29 May Thursday

30 May Friday

31 May Saturday

Chair:

Minutes: Gemini

Attendance: Sue, Ugne, Yen, Anna

Opportunities to volunteer this week:

FRONT OF HOUSE:

23 May Friday

24 May Saturday

Next week:

29 May Thursday

30 May Friday

31 May Saturday

Current activity/project -

NEW TECHNOLOGY

Worksheet

Drawing & Painting

Both exhibitions until 31 May

Volunteer break until Thursday 17 July

Now Until 4 September

(Update 2 July)

Install of next Drawing & Painting exhibition

Volunteers interested in exhibition building and curation? Wednesday 16 July 10am - 1pm

This exhibition will now open in line with the new term of Drawing & Painting in September.

JLC 20th June JLC exhibition 'CONTRAST' Opening Event

21 June

27 June

28 June

• Yen's board report and Volunteer Representation feedback

• Next Board Meeting is the AGM in person here at fountain arts 15th July 1-4pm

  All volunteers to attend.

• National Lottery Community Fund

• Changes in volunteer studio holders / studio holders update

• Update on Mac? (Update 2 July, will be dropped off next week :))

• CREATIVE SOCIAL - May/June/July/Aug break

  Artist talks to make a return Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec

  Feb Young artists takeover

• Volunteer social this summer?

  Day out in July? Agreed on Picnic - Ugna to organise with yen

  Bowling

  Creative Commons film night (Joe will be in charge)

  Costume night (make your own costumes)

  Young artists takeover

• Signage update and sharing of current ideas and skills

• Studio artist in the window each month

• Skill sharing at next meeting - What do you want?

  
  

• AOB

  
  

• Date of next meeting: Thursday 4th September 5 - 6:30pm

  
  

JLC exhibition 'CONTRAST' Opening Event

Continues 10 - 4:

21 June

27 June

28 June

Thank you for organising the Summer picnic 13:00 Sunday 20 July! 

Really looking forward to it!!!

fountain arts has decided to have an extended summer break until 4 September.

This means there will be no opportunities to volunteer until then, as we will be closed to the public. This break will allow us to:

• Complete funding bids

• Improve our space

• Update policies

• Improve our website

• Michael to look after Beau :)

  
  

This break has been taken with the view to return in September with an enhanced volunteer offer. Until then... 

All volunteers are invited to our AGM to meet our directors at 14:30 15 July at fountain arts. This is an opportunity to meet the other people leading the organisation and hear about our plans for the future.

If I don’t see you there I’ll see you at the picnic on the 20th July.  

Kind regards,

--

Michael Burkitt (He/Him)

Founder & Director

michael@fountainarts.org 

We are currently taking a summer break and re-open 4 September 2025 10:00 - 16:00 Thursday - Saturday. 

5 - 6pm Volunteer Meeting:

• Chair -

• Minutes -

• Volunteer -

• Attendance - Yen, Lena, Alex

• Current activity/project - Drawing & Painting Exhibition Opens on Thursday.

• Front of House -

• Funding News - Arts Council and Cultural Futures

• Studios are now FULL - Whey!!!

  
  

• Policy Updates:

  
  

  Volunteering - curently is too open, these are the things you can do...

  Importance of Front of House. 18 hours.

  Volunteers doing activities

  Training - social skills

  Volunteer meeting examples of what to do...

  Operations Coordinator - trusts and funds to fund a part-time role.

  
  

  Next volunteer meeting Michael to lead a refresher for booking volunteer time.

A.O.B

• Date of next meeting 9 Oct

  5pm - 6pm

• Theme of next skills exchange 6 - 7pm - Project Budget using spreadsheets

• AOB -

  
  

6 - 7pm Volunteer Skills Exchange:

Introduction to Photoshop with Alex. Top 10 tips for Photoshop

Actions: make sure consistent times are on all elements of the volunteer booking process for meetings etc.

Michael to chase volunteer first aid training at work certificates.

Book full first aid

5 - 6pm Volunteer Meeting

6 - 7pm Skills Exchange: Making junk collage with Lena.

Amy,Yen,Alex,Isaac

Agenda:

• Chair - Yen

• Minutes -

• How to book volunteer time -

• New signage -

• Skills Exchange - Web design, InDesign, Photography, Hand sewing

• Attendance -

• Current activity/project - Lena Bryan - Memories Renewed

• Front of House -

• Funding News - Cultural Futures -

• Matters arising -

A.O.B

• Date of next meeting 13 Nov

  5pm - 6pm

• Theme of next skills exchange 6 - 7pm - Budget Management (Spreadsheets)

  
  

6 - 7pm Volunteer Skills Exchange:

Making junk collage with Lena.

Learning the craft techniques we nee to assist with Lena's exhibition.

Accessibility & Inclusion

• No photography experience needed

  
  

• No reading required to take part
  

• Can be done seated or standing
  

• Verbal, visual, and hands-on options
  

• Participants choose how much they share
  

Key Message for Visitors

The Rule of Thirds is not a rule you must follow – it’s a tool you can choose to use. Just like identity, composition is about making decisions that feel true to you.

Through the lens of psychology and sociology, Sarah spotlights queer identity as a renewed backlash threatens hard-earned gains for the community. Using digital photography they and a variety of models have created bold, colourful portraits which ask us to consider the ways in which our own identity has many parts that come together to create a complex web of what it means to be human.  

Each photoshoot is an opportunity to explore the identities we choose and the identities chosen for us, creating a challenging series affirming that sex is not equivalent to gender. Placing both masculine and feminine side by side, they achieved this by playing with gender expression, particularly for the non-binary models.