About Borders Pottery

This setup helps cover the overhead and premises costs of the pottery studio. Both the café and pottery studio are open five days a week, reflecting BP’s commitment to providing consistent community services.

Its primary mission is to offer free or affordable pottery classes with expert tuition in a safe, comfortable environment. These classes are particularly targeted at individuals experiencing isolation, poor mental health, or those living with a disability. An increasing majority of participants are referred by the Scottish Borders Council and other mental health services, highlighting the recognised value of BP’s work in the community.

BP’s operational structure includes one full-time staff member (who is also the Founder and Director), 3 part-time employees, and 3 volunteers. This team manages both the café operations and the pottery classes. The pottery studio has the capacity to accommodate 4-6 people per class, ensuring personalised attention and a supportive atmosphere for participants.

About the Project

BP sought to raise funding to provide 172 free pottery sessions.  This equated to 4 classed per week for 43 weeks, for local residents suffering from social isolation and other forms of mental health challenges. Each session was approximately 2-2.5 hours and could accommodate up to 5 or 6 participants. The project aimed to improve participants' mental health, enhance socialisation, build confidence, and foster friendships. An estimated 20-40 individuals were expected to benefit from the classes over the course of the project.  It also sought funding to purchase a new portable pottery that increased accessibly and accommodated wheelchair users.  

The Benefits of the Project 

The project addressed a critical need in the community for accessible, therapeutic activities for individuals with long-term physical or mental ill health.  In spring of 2022, BP launched a pilot scheme, which provided pottery workshops for people referred by the Berwickshire Local Area Coordination (LAC) Mental Health Service, to demonstrate the positive impact of such activities on participants' mental health.

A member from Scottish Borders Council LAC Team said:

This service provides a vital service to the local communities, I have seen it support a young man who could not finish university because of social anxiety, and he would not speak to anyone. Over a 6-week period, he opened up and became a confident and different person. You would not recognise him.

The success of the pilot project led to an increase in referrals and enquiries, necessitating an expansion of BP’s capacity. The tactile nature of working with clay and the independent design of the classes have proven particularly beneficial for participants, including those with autism or addiction issues. The regular weekly classes provide a structured environment that allows participants to gradually build confidence and social connections without pressure.

A regular member from one of the women’s weekly groups funded by the Fund said:

The free session has provided an opportunity to organically create a women’s group, where we can support each other, chat about life and similar daily challenges and give us the confidence we need to come out and get about.  It’s a safe space for women and I have made friendships I would never have otherwise expected to.

During each session, the participants could choose to work on a short or long-term project or help create pieces of pottery to sell within the pottery studio shop.  All funds raised from the sales of the handmade pottery from the participants are donated to causes such as the St Abbs Lifeboats charity.  

As well as the weekly sessions held within the pottery studio, BP uses the portable pottery wheel funded through the Drone Hill Fund to attend outreach and support sessions including a clinic drop-in session in Reston on a regular basis. The clinic is to support those experiencing and recovering from addiction and has been positively received by those in attendance.  BP also partners with local schools such as Coldingham Primary School and the National Trust and employs staff members from Coldingham Community Council. 

The primary focus of this project was to serve the local residents in the Drone Hill Fund area of benefit. However, the initiative also extended to participants from Eyemouth and the surrounding area. It is anticipated that 75% of the beneficiaries came from the Fund area.

Raising Funds

BP applied for £7,646.75 from the Drone Hill Fund to support the proposed project. The funding was used to cover the costs of additional equipment, replacement of existing equipment, materials, and staffing to teach, support, and assist participants. The Drone Hill Panel considered the request and made the decision to award the full amount applied for.

Impact and Outcomes

The main impact the project aimed to achieve included: 

• Reduced isolation and loneliness
• Formation of new friendships and social connections
• Increased confidence in dealing with everyday life challenges
• A sense of pride and achievement

Additional benefits include:

• Contributions to fundraising for local charitable organizations, particularly the RNLI
• Helping to make the café/pottery self-sustaining for future operations
• Reducing strain on local mental health and NHS services

Fit for the Drone Hill Fund

The BPCIC project aligns closely with the three primary aims of the Drone Hill Fund:

• Enhancing the quality of life for local residents
• Contributing to vibrant, healthy, successful, and sustainable communities
• Promoting community spirit and encouraging community activity

Final Thoughts 

The Borders Pottery project represented a well-planned and considered, community-focused initiative that addresses critical mental health and social needs in the local area. By combining therapeutic activities with skill development and social interaction, BP has made a significant positive impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals while contributing to the overall wellbeing and sustainability of the community.