Attendees to the opening of our Platinum Garden at Sutton House and Breaker’s Yard in July 2022. photo- Aleksi Niemela. Image description: a group of 15-20 people are standing and sitting between two stationary vehicles- a caravan and a black minibus. They are wearing clothes of varying colours and patterns and are of a range of different ages. They are talking in small groups. Above them hangs handmade bunting in pinks and blues and greens, and they are gathered around a newly planted garden area, featuring plants, flowers and herbs, planted in old tyres of different sizes.
Our History
Social Material CIC was founded by Daniel Baker in 2013, when he was offered the opportunity to take over two disused rooms in a supported housing scheme in mental health in Homerton, Hackney in East London.
In collaboration with residents and support staff at the scheme, Daniel turned the two rooms into an arts space that would offer workshops and a range of other activities to adults in local mental health services- particularly those with high support needs.
He recruited two co-directors with a brilliant range of skills to create a CIC that could effectively manage the activities, through fundraising, strategic planning, and building relationships with stakeholders and supporters.
Social Material CIC exists to support people to their best mental health and wellbeing: and we can’t do that without you. The best advocates for change are those who have been through change themselves; the best advocates for recovery are those in recovery. If you’d like to get involved or hear more about what we do, we’d love to be in touch, email us through our contact page!
Our Team
Social Material CIC is managed by three Directors:
Daniel Baker: Artistic Director. Daniel leads many of our projects and facilitates workshops, he also supports our freelancers, and meets with our participants and peer-leaders to decide what activities to run. Daniel has lived experience and so he’s the ideal champion for this work. He has been awarded a Mayor’s Civic Award and a People’s Hero Award for his work with local people in London.
Karen Raingold: Mental Health Lead. Karen is a trained and accredited Art Therapist, and has over 10 years experience in the field. Although we don’t run clinical art therapy at Social Material, Karen’s skills and experience are invaluable to how we run. She does also run activities herself, so you may see her at one of our workshops or events.
Kitty Anderson: Finance and Oversight Lead. Kitty is a senior professional in the arts. Currently Director at LUX Scotland, Kitty has over 15 years experience at a management level. Kitty supports our governance, financial and strategic activities. Kitty is less involved in delivering workshops, but you may meet her at an event or over a zoom call!
We also work with a regular Project Manager:
Charlene Sandy. Charlene is a fabulous workshop leader and project manager. We have been working with her for over 8 years and she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. Charlene grew up in North London and has Black-Caribbean heritage and is a brilliant advocate for the arts and crafts in wellbeing.
And have a team of regular Freelancers, whom have the skills and experience to deliver the best work for everyone. We prioritise working with freelancers whom have lived experience of mental health and those whom are under-represented in the sector: particularly people of colour, members of the LGBTQ+ community and adults with experience of poverty. Our freelancers include:
Amanda Wayne is a multidisciplinary creative practitioner. She is an experienced Project Manager, the founder of Head and Hands and the Slow Down Club, and a facilitator of arts and wellbeing workshops.
Catherine Hall is an accomplished artist and workshop leader with over 5 years experience with a range of ages. She led our State of Now Studio between 2012-2020 and delivered the brilliant Artists Award At Home, during the pandemic lockdown.
Melanie Whitechurch is a trained Peer Worker, Exercise Coach, mental health advocate and experienced facilitator. Mel regularly delivers sessions for us, particularly outdoors activities.
Our Advisors
We have a team of Advisors, whom support our work, many of whom have lived experience of mental health.