Encouragement Through the Arts and Talking is a group for isolated lonely people who would be encouraged to be creative and share skills.
The group meets twice a week at the Thamesbank Centre on the Peabody Estate in Pimlico and its members live on and around the estate.
ETAT sits at the heart of the community and provides a family environment not only for its members but for the wider community by putting on regular events and by joint working with other local organisations such as the Tate Britain and the Abbey Centre.
Activities are run by “Encouragers”, most of whom are volunteers, and the beneficiaries are known as “Friends” our Friends come from at least seven local housing estates that are amongst the most diverse and underprivileged in London.
Our Friends are men and women of all ages from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. Some have physical or mental health problems, including disabilities, and some are wheelchair users. All have been suffering from loneliness and isolation.
We offer a warm and welcoming place to go, with a shared meal and a range of arts and social activities on offer.
Through the encouraging, supportive atmosphere at ETAT, Friends find that their wellbeing is improved in a range of ways through meeting others, sharing their feelings and memories, learning new skills and experiencing pride in producing arts and craft items.