Help this Manchester mental health charity create a space for vulnerable young people

That wonderful human nature, whose powers are revealed by art.’ That was the mantra of Victorian philanthropist and visionary Thomas C Horsfall who sought to promote wellbeing and social change through contact with art and nature. He founded the Ancoats Art Museum in 1882 and filled it with works of art to enrich the lives of those living in the surrounding slums.

Now the power is in your hands to help local charity 42^nd Street bring it back to life in the form of The Horsfall.

The plan is to renovate an empty Victorian shop and turn it into a three storey centre where young people can receive emotional and creative support, just minutes away from the Northern Quarter. It’s a unique opportunity to bring the public together with artists, mental health practitioners and heritage experts.

They’ve taken to crowdfunding to help raise the £15,000 needed to restore the Horsfall into a public space with the likes of art installations, immersive theatre, workshops and even a project to invent a new ice cream flavour!

42^nd Street has a 35 year track record of using the arts and hands-on creativity to help and support young people between the ages of 11 and 25 with mental health problems. The Horsfall is their even bigger plan to open up the arts to the wider public with the involvement of national and international artists.

“We have always recognised the importance of using creativity to support young people with their emotional wellbeing,” says chief executive Simone Spray. “Now we can consolidate this approach by bringing alive a historically significant building and bringing a brand new creative programme to the city.

“We will be able to support more young people, give something back to the communities of Ancoats and prove the positive link between our programme and good emotional and mental health.”

And you can be part of making this cause happen. Simply head to their Crowdfunder page and even receive a unique money-can’t-buy ‘reward’ just for contributing.

Make a pledge today

Make a pledge today and contribute to art playing a practical part in mental health

For more information 42ndstreet.org.uk/horsfall

To donate visit the Crowdfunder page: crowdfunder.co.uk/the-horsfall-space

@TheHorsfall