Posted on: 21st June 2023

St. George’s Crypt, a renowned charity in Leeds dedicated to offering care, compassion, and hope to homeless and vulnerable individuals, is proud to announce its participation in the Sunflower project organised by Leeds City Museum.

This initiative, which celebrates Refugee Week from 20th to 25th June 2023, aims to raise awareness and support for those seeking sanctuary in Leeds, while also showcasing their contributions to the art and culture of the city. This resonated with the charity as it offers clients safe sanctuary and a chance to grow and become contributing citizens.

As part of its Health and Wellbeing program, St. George’s Crypt hosts an Arts and Crafts group every Friday afternoon. Led by volunteers Katharine Greathead and Sue Fallon, the group enthusiastically embraced the Sunflower project and created a magnificent sunflower-themed artwork. Their creation will be on display in the Brodrick Hall of Leeds City Museum, where it will be exhibited alongside other sunflower artworks.

Katharine Greathead, a volunteer with years of experience leading the Arts and Crafts group, expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the Sunflower project, stating "We saw an opportunity to be part of something bigger than ourselves, and the significance resonated deeply with us. We crafted a diverse collection of sunflowers using various materials, we’ve since found out that there are more than 80 varieties of sunflowers so our collection fits in! In addition, we constructed a sunflower home out of cardboard, where we reflected on the meaning of 'home' and its importance. The window frames are adorned with our thoughts and quotes, such as 'There is no place like home' and 'A house is not always a home'."

Roger, one of St. George's Crypt clients, shared his perspective on the project, stating, "As someone who has experienced homelessness, I could relate to the struggles faced by refugees. This opportunity allowed me to learn more about sunflowers, like their sun-tracking behaviour called heliotropism, which, to me represents hope and a brighter future."

St. George’s Crypt holds its Arts and Crafts sessions every Friday afternoon at the charity's Nurture café, located in Leeds city centre. These sessions aim to empower homeless and vulnerable adults who utilise the charity's services, providing them with the tools and support necessary for personal growth and independence.

The Friday Arts and Crafts Group received a special invitation from Sapphia Cunningham-Tate, Assistant Community Curator at Leeds City Museum, to personally deliver their sunflower home. This visit proved to be an unforgettable experience, allowing the group to explore the museum afterward. It was particularly significant for one client, who had never visited the museum despite being a lifelong resident of Leeds, and he thoroughly enjoyed the outing!

The exhibition will be open to the public from 20th to 25th June. For more details, please click here.