Art Pop-UP are VERY excited to announce that we have successfully gained funding to support our Cheer Circle Community Project from 2024-27!
The Cheer Circle is funded by the Lincolnshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment Fund.
What is the Cheer Club?
We’re a vibrant and inclusive group of six community groups coming together for a year-round program packed with exciting events and activities, forging new friendships and sharing laughter and support.
Come and join in! Connect with our wider local community at partner events, sharing the smiles further. Our Cheer Club events are an inclusive space where you’re valued, appreciated, and never alone. Let’s spread some cheer together!
Want to join the Cheer Club?
Joining the Cheer Club is easy! Simply email community@artpopup.co.uk* to let us know you’re coming to an event, or book directly through Eventbrite. Places are free, but donations to support the Cheer Club’s ongoing activities are welcome.
*Participants are also required to fill in a membership form once a year to fulfil our funding requirements, and provide an email address so we can contact you.
Could you be a Cheer Club Befriender?
Are you a friendly, welcoming person who enjoys meeting new people and building connections? Why not become a Befriender at our Cheer Club events! Befrienders play an important role in helping guests feel at ease, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Whether it’s greeting people with a smile, chatting over tea and cake, or encouraging others to join in with activities, your kindness can make a real difference. If you’d like to volunteer and be part of our cheerful community, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us for more information and help us spread positivity and connection.
What events have we got coming up?
Our 2024-25 programme runs from May 2024 – March 2025 and so far we have enjoyed a fun-filled schedule of socials, arts & crafts, games, talks and toe-tapping music. See what we’ve got coming up in 2025
February Social with Harp Performance by Eleanor Turner & Artist Chat with Imogen Joyce – 25th February 2025 – 2-4pm @ The Danish Invader
Join us on Tuesday, 25th February from 2:00–4:00 pm at the Danish Invader Function Room for a relaxed and enjoyable February Social.
The event will begin with a beautiful harp performance by Eleanor Turner, filling the space with serene and captivating music that’s sure to leave everyone feeling relaxed and uplifted. Following that, we’ll have a fascinating artist chat with Imogen Joyce, who is currently working on a funded residency in Stamford to create a new piece of artwork. Imogen is eager to connect with the Cheer Club and discuss her artistic process, as well as her experiences working in the area. She invites attendees to share their thoughts and stories about Stamford as she develops her new project.
It’s set to be a lovely event, with plenty of opportunities for chatting, enjoying the performance, and making new connections in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. As always, there’ll be tea, good company, and creative conversations to enjoy.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PLACE ON EVENTBRITE
Intergenerational Tea Dance – 17th March 2025 – 2-4PM @ The Stamford Art Centre Ballroom
Get ready to swing, twist, and twirl with us on Monday 17th March 2025.
We will be celebrating the joy of music & dance with an afternoon Tea Dance! Join us at Stamford Arts Centre for an unforgettable experience that bridges generations and memories.
Dust off your finest party attire for Stamford Arts Centre’s ballroom is the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of music, laughter and dancing. Live music from a talented band will set the tone, while professional dancers lead ‘instant dance classes’.
It’s all about inclusivity, making sure everyone feels safe and comfortable!
Dancing will take a gender-neutral approach with some group dances and seated dancing also to encourage everyone to join in. Plus there will be performances adding extra sparkle to the afternoon as well as tea & cake! From beginners taking their first steps to experienced dancers flaunting their skills – everyone’s invited to this rhythmic rendezvous.
The event is FREE to attend however as places are limited, please only book a ticket if you are sure you are able to attend. These sessions are FREE to join but you must book a place. Over 18s only.
EARLY ACCESS
For a smooth and accessible entrance, anyone with mobility needs, wheelchair use, or other accessibility requirements must book an Early Access Ticket. This ticket grants entry 15 minutes before the event opens, ensuring you have time to find a seat comfortably. Advance booking is required to guarantee appropriate accommodations.
Please contact us with any queries or accessibility questions. We will make any accommodations that we can as it is important to us that the event is inclusive.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PLACE ON EVENTBRITE
What have we been up to?
Throughout the year we have had a variety of special events. See what we’ve been up to so far this year.
January Social with Artist chat with Ann Bellamy & Dave the Magician!
This was a relaxed and enjoyable first Social of the year hosted in the Danish Invader’s function room. The event kicked off with a 15-minute discussion from the talented artist Ann Bellamy, who shared insights into her art, the inspirations behind her work, and answered any questions attendees had. Following that, everyone was treated to a magical performance from Dave the Magician, which left everyone smiling.
It was a lovely event, with lots of people chatting and enjoying themselves in the warm and welcoming atmosphere. As always, there was plenty of tea and good company.
Blue Monday Cheer Drop! – 20th January 2025
The Cheer Club tackled the January blues and brightened Stamford with some cheer on Blue Monday.
We invited participants to help us distribute delightful paper pop-up characters, created by the talented artist Ann Bellamy. These cheerful creations were designed to bring a smile to everyone who found them, spreading a little positivity and joy around town.
We met at Red Lion Square, Stamford (PE9 2AH) to start sharing the happiness. It was a lovely event, and since the drop, we’ve received messages from people saying they found the art and that it made them smile. It was heartwarming to see how such a simple gesture could brighten someone’s day. Those who joined helped us make someone’s day and spread some cheer together!
Cheer Club meets Make Space! – January Crafternoon
The Cheer Club Crafternoon was the first event of the year for the Cheer club, launching our Blue Monday Art drop with Artist Ann Bellamy.
This was a Cheer Club twist on our ever popular Make Space event where we gather for an afternoon of making, including the opportunity to create cheerful characters with Ann, simialr to the lovely Joy character she made for us for our at drop.
In addition to Ann’s session, there were a variety of other crafty activities, light refreshments, and plenty of good company.
Cheer Club Christmas Party 2024
The Cheer Club Christmas Party was a truly festive celebration filled with laughter, fun, and plenty of holiday cheer, with over 70 people joining in the festivities! We enjoyed an amazing spread of food and refreshments, thanks to the generosity of George’s Food Hub and Askers Bakery, who provided us with delicious freshly baked cakes and sweet treats. A highlight of the event was a fantastic performance of Cinderella by Panto In A Day, which had everyone smiling and laughing.
We also played the hilariously fun Odd Sock game, where everyone had to find their matching sock before taking it home as a quirky keepsake. To make the day even more special, everyone received a goodie bag with the chance to pick out a couple of gifts to take away. And we even had a flying visit from the man with the big white beard himself, spreading even more festive cheer!
We are incredibly grateful to Alltech for hosting us in their wonderful venue once again. They provided all the tea, coffee, and cold drinks for the event, helping to make the party warm and welcoming for everyone. A special thank you to Darren for all his help in making the day so memorable—it wouldn’t have been the same without him!
Cheer Club Christmas Carolling
This holiday season, the Cheer Club brought the Cheer Club community together through a series of joyful carolling sing-alongs, spreading festive cheer far and wide. Led by the talented Darren Rawnsley, a creative practitioner and musician from Stamford, the sessions welcomed singers of all abilities, from seasoned vocalists to those who just love to hum along.
We hosted our first sing-along at Stamford Welland Academy, where we welcomes some of their choir to the event, making it the perfect place to start spreading festive cheer. At Alltech, alongside our new friends in the Stamford Welland School Choir, we enjoyed another cheerful sing-along in the beautiful Alltech building—thank you to Alltech for being such wonderful hosts!
Finally, we brought everyone together at Whitefriars Care Home for a heartwarming sing-along with the residents, creating a warm and welcoming space filled with music. Although the planned performance at the Corn Exchange during the Christmas Market was unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather, we made up for it at the Christmas Party with a sing-along featuring Santa himself. It was a joyful and triumphant celebration of the season!
Festive making sessions
In the lead-up to the festive season in November and December, the Cheer Club hosted some cosy crafting sessions at our venues as well as in the Stamford library where we made beautiful paper Christmas tree decorations. These handmade creations were gifted to the residents of Whitefriars Care Home during our sing-along performance, bringing a little extra cheer to their day. For those residents who couldn’t attend the performance, a huge thank you goes to Darren for delivering the decorations to their rooms, ensuring everyone could feel the festive spirit. We also used the decorations to add a festive touch to the tables at our Christmas Party, making the celebrations even more special. It was a lovely way to combine creativity, community, and holiday spirit!
Cheer Club Summer Party & BBQ
The Cheer Club’s summer Party was a wonderful afternoon hosted by one of our community groups, Vision, at the Stamford Cricket Ground. We are incredibly thankful to the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), who generously came and provided all the delicious cooked food for the event. Alongside their amazing efforts, there was plenty of tea, cakes, and snacks to keep everyone happy throughout the afternoon.
The event was packed with activities and entertainment. We created a cosy chill-out space with lots of cushions and blankets, offering a comfortable spot to relax. For those feeling more energetic, there were outdoor games like bubbles, giant Connect 4, and giant Jenga, which added plenty of laughter and fun. Hayley De Rito brought the entertainment to life with her upbeat songs, getting everyone dancing and singing along. There were even some silly games including a scavenger hunt, and some impromptu speeches and singing!
It was a warm, inclusive gathering filled with laughter, great company, and a real sense of community. A huge thank you to Vision for hosting, the RRT for their incredible support with the food, Hayley for her amazing performance, and everyone who joined us—you all made it an unforgettable afternoon!
Spring and Summer Socials
The Cheer Club hosted two wonderful socials at the Danish Invader during the spring and summer, each bringing its own unique charm.
At the spring social in June, we were treated to a stunning performance by Gabriella Pineda-Rodrigues, whose beautiful singing created a warm and uplifting atmosphere. We played board games and puzzles, giving everyone a chance to relax, chat, and enjoy some light-hearted fun over tea, coffee, and cake.
At the summer social in August, we were very lucky to have Joe, the Head Gardener from Burghley come and host a talk with us , sharing his incredible knowledge and stories about the gardens. Joe brought some interesting objects and plants from the garden for us to experience, and afterwards we held a Burghley-themed quiz, which got everyone involved!
The Cheer Club socials are truly special and welcoming events, offering a chance for people to come together, connect, and share joyful moments. We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us and made these gatherings so wonderful!
Cheer Club Kindness Cookies – Paper Fortune Cookie Making
The Cheer Club came together for crafting sessions in May and June 2024 to make beautiful paper fortune cookies, each with a positive and uplifting message inside.
Once they were ready, we shared them with everyone at our socials, as well as at a range of community events, including the Vision’s community litter pick, the Malcolm Sargent School and St Augustine’s School fairs, and gave some to Whitefriars Care Home.
It was a lovely way to spread kindness and bring smiles to people’s faces, showing how even the smallest gesture can brighten someone’s day. Thank you to everyone who joined in and helped make it so special.
The 6 Groups taking part
Stamford Library Community Group
Stamford Library kindly host our making sessions for our Cheer Club community sessions not hosted my our other groups. Anyone can join this group, just email us at community@artpopup.co.uk if you’d like to join in!
St Augustine’s Primary School
St Augustine’s Catholic Voluntary Academy is a school built on Christian values, with a commitment to high expectations for all. St. Augustine’s aims to educate the whole child; mind, body and soul. They help each child to discover and develop their own unique gifts and talents, so that they may live life to the full.
Malcolm Sargent Primary School
Malcolm Sargent Primary school in Stamford aims to provide the best all round education for children. Collectively, their approach is called “The Malcolm Sargent Way” and is centred on three core values, Engage & Inspire, Nurture & Growth: Pride & Joy
Vision Day Service
Vision is a Day Service and Supported living service for adults with learning disabilities.
Their aim is to promote inclusion, respect, friendship, and fun!
Blue Bird Care
Blue Bird Care specialise in working with customers and their families who require care in their own homes. They offer a unique service of personalised care options from check-in visits to full live-in support.
White Friars Care Home
Whitefriars Care Home offers friendly and compassionate residential and dementia care for up to 56 residents. The home is situated in a quiet residential location, close to the historic centre of Stamford.
The Cheer Circle 2023-24 PILOT
The Cheer Club actually began as a pilot programme called the Cheer Circle, funded by Shine via the Lincolnshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment Fund, and was designed around the Five Ways to Wellbeing, a framework promoting positive mental health through connecting, being active, taking notice, learning, and giving. The programme aimed to bring communities together through making and gifting workshops, creating opportunities for participants to both give and receive.
Six community groups took part, each working together to create a set of beautiful gifts. Once completed, these gifts were delivered to another community group, while in return, they received their own handcrafted gifts from a different group. This created a continuous circle of cheer and creativity.
Running from April 2023 to March 2024, the groups participated in a new making session every other month. Throughout the year, we trialled a regular newsletter to share updates and photos, allowing everyone to see how their gifts had been received and stay connected between sessions.
We also experimented with different venues and activities, exploring a range of creative techniques and locations to find the best ways to engage participants. This approach helped shape the programme, making it more accessible and enjoyable for all involved.
Participants did not need to be creative or crafty to take part. Each session was led by Art Pop-Up artists who guided them through various tasks, from sticking and cutting to adding colour. By working together, small contributions came together to form beautifully finished gifts.
Each session introduced a new craft or activity, and to bring the groups together, a Cheer Circle Summer Party was hosted, allowing participants to meet and celebrate. A similar gathering was held in winter, further strengthening community connections.
The Cheer Circle pilot demonstrated how creativity, kindness, and shared experiences could positively impact both individuals and communities. Its success led to further funding from Shine via the Lincolnshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment Fund, which supported the development of a longer three-year programme. This funding allowed us to focus on making the initiative sustainable, and with this evolution, the programme was renamed Cheer Club to reflect its ongoing growth and lasting impact.
Our Summer Cheer Circle Community Party 2023
Our first Cheer Circle Community Party was a great success! With lots of party food and refreshments generously donated by Tesco, Stamford and George’s Food Hub.
We had crafts, and entertainment and music! We were delighted to welcome Dan the Piano Man to play for us throughout the event, and David the Magician who Wowed us with magic tricks as well as creating some wonderful balloon models too!