“Make Art For Good”: Kid’s Open Art Exhibition Supports Stand-by-me Bereavement Support
Hitchin, August 2025 – This summer, the local community celebrated creativity, compassion, and connection at the Kid’s Open Art Exhibition hosted by Make Space in aid of Stand-by-me Bereavement Support. The event provided a heartfelt reminder of how art can unite communities, uplift young minds, and support those navigating the journey of grief.
A Celebration of Imagination and Empathy
Make Space proudly invited children of all ages to share their artistic expressions, whether painting, drawing, sculpture, or mixed media, through the Kid’s Open Art Exhibition. The initiative encouraged the community to “make art for good,” offering children a fun and supportive environment to showcase their creativity during the summer holidays.
Kim, a mother and artist behind Make Space, explains why she made this exhibition happen:
“Creativity is an inherently valuable element of both parenthood and artistry. Making art is a very human way of expressing feelings and emotions, providing comfort and allowing the flow state to ease the mind. Acts of creativity build confidence and resilience as well as technical skills. Sharing work in public offers artists of any age the chance to share their perspective and take pride in themselves; children and their families can see their art up on the gallery walls, make something amazing and support the charity.”
By offering low-cost workshops alongside the exhibition, Make Space invited families to engage in creativity together, see their work displayed in a gallery setting, and, in doing so, support Stand-by-me.
Why It Matters: Stand-by-me Bereavement Support
Stand-by-me serves children, young people, and their families in North Hertfordshire and Stevenage, offering vital support for those affected by bereavement through information, advice, groupwork programmes, and resources for schools and professionals. www.stand-by-me.org.uk
As a registered charity, Stand-by-me works tirelessly to protect the health and well-being of bereaved children up to age 18, aiming to prevent the long-term negative impacts of grief on their education, health, and future prospects.
Operating with limited resources, Stand-by-me relies heavily on the generosity of local volunteers, donors, and partner organisations to continue its essential work. In supporting them through events like the Kid’s Open Art Exhibition, the community not only raises funds but also fosters a more compassionate, connected environment for children in need.
The Power of Community Partnerships
The collaboration between Make Space and Stand-by-me is a powerful illustration of what can be achieved when creativity meets compassion:
- Art as Healing: Making and sharing art offers emotional release, builds confidence, and offers children a safe way to process complex feelings.
- Local Support, Real Impact: Community-run events raise awareness and much-needed funds for Stand-by-me, enabling continuity of their services.
- Shared Joy and Growth: Children, families, and the wider community come together, forging bonds, celebrating young talent, and reinforcing the message that nobody faces grief alone.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We extend sincere thanks to:
- Make Space and its founder Kim, for turning imaginative inspiration into a meaningful community event.
- The many children who trusted us with their creations.
- Families, visitors, volunteers, and supporters who joined us and contributed to the cause.
Your participation has truly made art for good and help change the lives of those bereaved in childhood.
Why This Matters Locally
Community partnerships like this one are the lifeblood of grassroots charity work. For bereaved children in North Herts and Stevenage, timely, empathetic support can make all the difference. By using art as a bridge, this collaboration cultivates hope, dialogue, and resilience, values that enrich our town now and for future generations.
Get Involved: Contact us to find out more about becoming a community partner, or if you run a local business, why not become one of our Business Champions?
https://stand-by-me.org.uk/business-champions/