I’m Imogen, a watercolour illustrator and calligrapher passionate about creativity as a tool for connection and wellbeing. I recently had the opportunity to share calligraphy with the Safehaven men, a weekly drop-in centre at Holy Trinity Church, Hastings. It’s a place where men experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health struggles, and loneliness can come for warmth, community, and support. They can get a hot drink, a bacon sandwich, essential supplies, a sense of community, or a friendly chat. Safehaven is run by an incredible team and I was so grateful to them for welcoming me so warmly.

A view through two buildings with a sunrise blue sky in the distance and a view through to the sea in hastings. Between two buildings Imogen Partridge took the photo on her way to a calligraphy drop in session in hastings — On the way to Holy Trinity Hastings

The Inspiration: Edward Johnston and the Power of Calligraphy

This calligraphy session was part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund pilot project, designed to explore how creativity can play a role in engagement, confidence-building, and well-being. If you’re thinking ‘but why calligraphy’ - it was inspired by the historic hand-drawn Missal by Edward Johnston, which is housed in the church, the idea was to introduce calligraphy as an accessible and mindful activity. Edward Johnston was a pioneer of modern calligraphy and is best known for designing the font used on the London Underground until the 1980s. The idea was to introduce calligraphy as an accessible and mindful activity, linking creativity to the heritage of the space itself.

Imogen Partridge's calligraphy table setup at the Safehaven Men drop in session. The table is empty but chairs and worksheets and paper are set up ready for the arrival of the guests

Creativity as Connection

I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Would they engage with it? Would it feel relevant to them? Being really honest, it did cross my mind that they would just be thinking ‘what on earth are you doing here’.

I couldn’t have been more wrong— 11 men sat down with me and had a go, which was 1/4 of all 40 guests who came to the drop in that morning. Some wrote names or meaningful words, others sketched, and several shared their own creative interests - one man showed me a poem he had written and some artwork he had done. Conversation was sparked around different creative pursuits, drawing, creative writing, poetry, music and it really reminded me the power of creativity to give purpose and inspire and that so many people are really seeking an outlet.

It was a humbling experience to see how naturally some of them connected with the process, and more importantly how willing they were to try.

This was more than just a one-off session—it was a valuable insight into how creativity can be integrated into support services. The feedback gathered will help shape a proposal for a three-year Lottery-funded program and I really hope that creative workshops like this become a regular and meaningful offering for the Safehaven community.

Imogen Partridge's calligraphy table setup at the Safehaven Men drop in session. A guest in a blue tracksuit is sitting writing with a calligraphy pen and ink pot. There are practice papers out on the table and a paper coffee cup

Why Funding for Creativity Matters

Creative projects like this have the power to foster confidence, build connections, and create moments of calm for those in challenging circumstances. While I would love to offer these sessions for free if I could, funding is crucial in making them sustainable and ensuring they reach the people who need them most. The National Lottery Heritage Fund project at Holy Trinity Hastings is a brilliant example of how arts and heritage funding can directly benefit communities.

I really hope to see this pilot develop into a long-term, fully funded program—one that continues to provide creative opportunities for those who may otherwise never experience them.

How to Get Involved

If you’re a creative looking to get involved with something similar and collaborate on National Lottery Heritage Fund or other Lottery-funded projects, there are so many opportunities to bring your skills into meaningful spaces. Local councils, community arts organisations, and heritage sites often run similar initiatives—checking their websites, signing up for funding newsletters, or reaching out directly can be great ways to find opportunities.

I was grateful to be approached for this project after someone simply searched for a local calligrapher, which goes to show how many organisations are looking for creatives to get involved and how important it is to say what you do on your website!

If you're a business, charity, or organisation with a project in mind, I would love to hear from you. Whether it’s a one-off workshop, a community arts initiative, or something bigger, I’d be excited to explore how we can bring creativity into spaces where it can make a real impact.