Grant #249476 to The Legacy Asset Network
Project Proposal: P&S Club
Paid
Grant #249476
Submitted by Aji Thompson•Approved by Adé Yusuf
May 9, 2025
Request Details
Purpose of the Project (Mission and Vision)
The P&S Club is dedicated to addressing social isolation and promoting well-being through the transformative power of art and community. By offering free, accessible photography walks, the project provides participants with a creative, therapeutic outlet while fostering meaningful social connections and personal growth.
The mission of the P&S Club is to empower individuals through artistic expression, cultivate a supportive community, and provide alternative educational opportunities for those who might otherwise lack access.
The long-term vision is to create a network of connected, resilient communities where individuals feel valued, supported, and inspired. By blending creativity with therapeutic engagement, the P&S Club aims to build a model that can be replicated across diverse neighborhoods, promoting inclusivity, connection, and healing on a broader scale.
Background or Context
Barking and Dagenham, like many communities, face significant challenges related to social isolation, lack of affordable creative outlets, and limited access to therapeutic resources. The P&S Club addresses these needs by providing a free, accessible space for individuals to explore photography and build meaningful connections. The project responds to several key challenges:
- A need for alternative educational opportunities that are non-polarizing and community-based. - Artistic therapy for those who cannot afford traditional options.
- A platform to fight loneliness and encourage community engagement.
The project was born out of founder Adé Farouk Yusuf’s personal experience with neurodivergence, where art served as a powerful therapeutic tool. This insight laid the foundation for P&S Club, designed to foster healing, connection, and creativity within communities.
Target Audience
The project is aimed at local residents, particularly adults aged 18 to 65. It welcomes individuals from all walks of life, with a focus on those who may be experiencing loneliness, social isolation, or mental health challenges. The P&S Club specifically targets individuals interested in art, but no prior artistic experience is necessary to participate.
Specific Objectives
1. Provide a free, creative outlet for 50+ community members over the course of one year.
2. Build social connections and reduce loneliness through regular group photography walks and online engagement.
3. Encourage personal development by equipping participants with new artistic skills and fostering an appreciation for the arts.
4. Create a supportive community where individuals can share their experiences, build friendships, and offer advice.
Key Activities
The project will be structured as follows:
1. Online Briefing and Engagement: Participants will receive an introduction and instructions through a WhatsApp group, along with a photography brief or mood board to guide their creative focus during the walk.
2. Photography Walks: The group will meet for two-hour photography walks where participants will explore local neighborhoods, take photos, and share experiences.
3. Community Engagement: After the walk, participants will reconvene to discuss their experiences and share their photos. The WhatsApp group will serve as a continuous support network where participants can ask questions, share tips, offer feedback, build and strengthen connections within the group, and create a supportive community.
4. On-Demand Support: Participants with specific interests or questions will receive on-demand support from the session lead, enhancing the educational aspect of the program.
Timeline
- Research & Planning (every 2 weeks): Identify locations and determine the best time of day for walks. Create mood boards for initial guidance.
- Monthly Implementation (Ongoing): Hold one photography walk per month, followed by post-event community engagement in the WhatsApp group.
- Evaluation & Adjustment (Quarterly): Assess participant feedback and adjust the program to meet the needs of the community better.
Expected Outcomes and Impact
The success of the P&S Club will be measured by the following outcomes:
- Tangible Outcomes: Increased participation, with a target of at least 50 individuals involved by the end of the year. Several participants will develop their artistic skills to a professional level, with some transitioning from hobbyists to paid photographers.
- Intangible Outcomes: Strengthened social connections, increased confidence, and reduced feelings of loneliness. Participants will build meaningful relationships within their communities and feel empowered through artistic expression.
Budget (Per month)
The estimated monthly budget for the P&S Club includes the following expenses:
| Purpose/ Item | Cost Per Unit | No. Of Unit | Total
| Personnel |
|
|
| Session Lead | £50.00 | 8 | £400.00
| Administrative Support/ Per Hour | £25.00 | 5 | £125.00
| Materials |
|
|
| Film Rolls | £20.99 | 20 | £419.80
| Film Scanning & Development | £8.99 | 20 | £179.80
| Cloud Storage | £11.48 | 1 | £11.48
| Portable Printer Cartridge | £8.99 | 4 | £35.98
| Photo Editing Software (Adobe Lightroom Mobile) | £4.10 | 1 | £4.10
| Venue |
|
|
| Meeting Space Rental Cost/ Per Hour | £25.00 | 4 | £100.00
| Miscellaneous |
|
|
| Advertising & Promotion | £120.00 | 1 | £120.00
| Digital Platform Management/ Per Hour | £25.00 | 5 | £125.00
| Refreshments | £25.00 | 4 | £100.00
| Total |
|
| £1,621.16
We are seeking the amount of £800 towards the costs outlined above.
Evaluation
The project will be evaluated through:
- Surveys and Testimonials: Gathering feedback from participants after each walk to assess their experience, sense of connection, and creative development.
- Attendance Numbers: Tracking the number of participants and monitoring how many return for multiple sessions.
- Participant Engagement: Monitoring activity in the WhatsApp group to see how much support and advice participants offer one another, and the frequency of interactions.
Timeliness and Relevance
In the context of the current cost of living crisis and the ongoing loneliness pandemic in the UK, the P&S Club is an especially timely initiative. Many individuals are struggling to afford art-based education or access mental health services. This project offers a solution by providing free creative outlets that foster social connection and emotional support.
Sustainability Plan
The P&S Club is designed for long-term impact. As long as there is demand from participants, Side Xuest will continue to offer the program. The project can also be expanded across the 32 boroughs of London, replicating the model to support more individuals in gaining skills, reducing social isolation, and building stronger communities.
Unique and Innovative Aspects
The P&S Club is unique in its combination of art, community, and therapeutic benefits. What sets it apart is its bottom-up, personalized approach to project development, ensuring that participants feel empowered to drive the direction of the program. Additionally, the integration of neuroscience into the artistic process offers participants not just a creative outlet but also the tools to improve their overall well-being.
Location and Significance
The project will take place in Barking & Dagenham, an area with significant social and economic challenges. By holding the walks in the heart of the community, the project ensures it is accessible to those who need it most and allows participants to reconnect with their surroundings in a meaningful way.
£800.00 GBP
Total amount £800.00 GBP
Additional Information
Paid to
Aji Thompson@aji-thompson
payout method
Bank account
Details
********By Aji Thompson
on Expense created
By Adé Yusuf
on Expense approved
By Khiera
on Expense scheduled for payment
By Khiera
on Expense processing
By Khiera
on Expense paid
Amount Paid for Expense: £800.00
Payment Processor Fee: £0.00
Net Amount for The Legacy Asset Network: £800.00
Collective balance
Expense policies
Expense policies
The Legacy Asset Fund Expense Policies
Expenses will be covered for costs which support and progress accessible participation opportunities for all members of the collective. For example, and not exhaustively, these include payment for:
Accessing space - Support for booking/accessing conducive and appropriate space to host and deliver accessible participation activities, workshops and sessions that create value for and in the community.- Equipment - Support for equipment upkeep and maintenance such as but not limited to software & hardware updates to increase the capacity to support accessibility and participation.
- Continued development - Support to meet training and upskilling needs necessary to maintain accessible offers of participation in Barking & Dagenham.
Expense Requests & Approvals:
When
- In the first instance, payments for repairs to gifted assets will be approved as soon as the platform becomes available. Following that, they will be approved during the first week of each month, for expenses incurred during the previous month.
- Other expenses will be approved as soon as possible by a member of the administrator team.
- After the administrator team has approved claims, the Social Change Nest team will process these on their next working day- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
What?
- As members of the collective, we are responsible for making sure submitted invoices remain in line with the proposals outlined in our respective Legacy Asset Applications, or following a majority poll from at least 2/3rds of the group if funds are requested for purposes outside of the proposals outlined in corresponding Legacy Asset applications.
- It would be helpful to the admin team if each invoice is identified with the asset & purpose associated as part of the description.
- Everyone will take individual responsibility for being aware of their own benefits implications when submitting an invoice and declare work appropriately for tax reasons.
- Invoices and receipts must clearly show the amount, date, provider name, legal address (or other identifier where a receipt) and what the payment is for.
- Expenses will only be paid if there is enough income to cover the expenses within the collective.
Contacting the Collective admin team:
If you have any questions or concerns about payments using the Open Collective platform, please contact the Collective admins within working hours (9-5, Monday to Friday).
FAQ
How do I get paid from a Collective?
Submit an expense and provide your payment information.
How are expenses approved?
Collective admins are notified when an expense is submitted, and they can approve or reject it.
Is my private data made public?
No. Only the expense amount and description are public. Attachments, payment info, emails and addresses are only visible to you and the admins.
When will I get paid?
Payments are processed by the Collective's Fiscal Host, the organization that hold funds on their behalf. Many Fiscal Hosts pay expenses weekly, but each one is different.
Why do you need my legal name?
The display name is public and the legal name is private, appearing on receipts, invoices, and other official documentation used for tax and accounting purposes.
Collective balance
£3,320.28 GBPFiscal Host:
The Social Change Nest