Finding confidence and community through clay
If you’ve ever grabbed a bite to eat at Pure Coffee in Vernon Park, you might not have realised there’s a burst of creativity happening just upstairs. The first floor is home to Pure Innovations, a charity that supports people with disabilities to explore what they love, grow their skills and build independence.
Everything at Pure is person-led. That means clients choose what they want to work on – from radio and animation to sports, catering and woodwork. Client Sara Wild sticks to ceramics; it’s the thing that makes her happiest.
Works in progress at Pure Innovations.
When she first joined Pure, Sara was quite shy. She liked to keep herself to herself. Now, she loves getting creative and spending time with other clients, who have become good friends. Sara goes to the studio 4 days a week, building her skills and confidence with everything she makes.
Each ceramics project typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. Learning coach Eloise does a trial run and creates a template. From there, clients take the lead. They sketch out their design, shape and dry the clay, and fire it in a kiln on site. Then comes painting, glazing and a final firing to set everything in place. Each step takes patience and care, and the result is something beautiful and unique.
Sara’s made all sorts of pieces – photo holders, matchstick boxes, even a mini chippy. Her current project is a Punch and Judy-style puppet inspired by a great artist: herself!
Sara with a sketch version of her puppet.
Some creations are proudly displayed at home, others become treasured gifts for family and friends, and some are exhibited and sold.
Sara can’t always get out and about as much as she’d like. But her art is travelling all over Stockport. You might have spotted her work at the bus station or even bought one of her creations at Merseyway’s Pop Up Shop. It gives Sara a thrill to know the things she makes are being seen and admired by people outside the studio.
One of her latest pieces is currently on display at Flowerland in Reddish. It’s a brilliant model of Pure Kitchen, Pure’s award-winning bakery, complete with baguettes, bread baskets and even a mini pavement sign.
But it’s more than a model. It’s what happens when you give people the support and opportunities they need to achieve something amazing.
And that’s what Pure Innovations is all about.
If you spot Sara’s mini kitchen at Flowerland or another local business, take a selfie with it and show staff at Pure Kitchen for a free coffee, cake or loaf. Kids can get in on the fun too, by completing a free colouring in sheet. You can find Pure Kitchen on Chestergate.
