MESS ROOM
creating safe spaces for imagination and creativity
The MESS ROOM is an inclusive space for fun, accessible, and innovative artistic workshops. We create a welcoming environment where everyone can explore creativity, build confidence, and connect with others. Our open, collaborative approach fosters independence and peer support while breaking down barriers and reducing social isolation.
With over 30 years of combined experience, MESS ROOM Artists specialise in helping people with disabilities express themselves through inclusive activities and diverse communication methods. We have particular expertise in working with individuals with sight loss, ensuring accessibility for all.
We collaborate across sectors—with schools, community groups, and expert partners—to raise awareness, provide training and mentor the next generation of MESS ROOM advocates. As professional artists, we also develop unique commissions, curate exhibitions, and organise cultural events that promote inclusivity, equality and the extraordinary talents of our participants.
"The MESS ROOM approach is...if somebody says they would like to knit with yogurt, we just ask - what flavour would you like?"Wendy Daws
The MESS ROOM is more than just a room
We are a creative, inclusive organisation offering fun, accessible, and innovative artistic workshops for all. Our open, collaborative approach fosters independence and peer support, empowering everyone to break down barriers and reduce social isolation.
MESS ROOM is directed by Wendy Daws
With 20+ years of experience working with diverse groups, Wendy leads a team of artists dedicated to helping blind and visually impaired individuals express themselves in creative, engaging ways. Using inclusive activities, tactile materials, and adaptive communication methods, they empower participants to explore new artistic possibilities with confidence and independence.
Art is for all regardless of age, ability or background
MESS ROOM believes everyone can be a maker and be inspired by the creativity of others. We provide a safe, supportive space where individuals can create freely and gain confidence in their abilities. Our workshops and programs are flexible and person-centred, tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each group.
We work with local artists and community groups
We raise awareness, provide training, and mentor the next generation of MESS ROOM advocates. As professional artists, we create unique commissions and exhibitions that showcase the talents of our participants. We also organise cultural events and projects that champion inclusivity and equality for all.
In Partnership with Kent Association for the Blind
Follow MESS ROOM on Insta
It`s Creativity & Wellbeing Week 2026!
Creativity and Wellbeing Week is run by London Arts in Health and Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance. The festival started as a small event based in London in 2012, to coincide with the Olympics. In 2019, the week went national for the first time, allowing thousands more people across the UK to participate in culture and creative activities.
At MESS ROOM CIC, we live, breathe, and eat the importance of creative play for the benefit of mental health and physical wellbeing. For many, the work of MESS ROOM CIC is a lifeline for those living with blindness and visual impairments.
For this year`s festival, we have entered our Peer Arts and Medway Kent Association for the Blind Art Group. You can find more about these groups via the Creativity & Wellbeing Week website, or by our own MESS ROOM website.
Creativity & Wellbeing Week:
https://creativityandwellbeing.org.uk/all-events/?type=event&search_keywords=mess%20room&sort=upcoming-event
MESS ROOM CIC:
https://www.messroom.org.uk/
#CreativityAndWellbeingWeek #CriticalHope #MentalHealth #CreativeHealth #CreativeMedway
Image descriptions:
1, a lady in a blue knitted jumper and blue apron holding a pair of purple handled scissors. She is looking down at a large mosaic in front of her on the table. The mosaic is made from different colours of funky foam, all cut into different shapes and sizes. The image makes up a shooting star. In the bottom right corner, the MESS ROOM logo and the Creativity and Wellbeing Week logo sit.
2, the Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2026 digital posters. It is a light orange colour with black font. The poster features the dates of the festival beneath the title, which are the 18th - 24th May 2026.
Whoop` we`re Whoop-ing it up @whoopheritagefestival at Hoo Village Hall. Check out the website whoop.org.uk for all details.
Image description Young girl holds up her decorated cardboard Whoop glasses to her face. The word WHOOP cut from cardboard.
We’ve brought the MESS ROOM to Rochester Sweeps 2026!
Our Teamies got stuck into funky foam mosaic making and spent time on the doodle den table experimenting and designing. We’ve loved seeing all your creations so far. Catch us in the Cathedral car park - here till 6pm!
We hope you’ve all had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend and enjoyed the Rochester Sweeps Festival if you came along!
#MessRoom #RochesterSweepsFestival #FoamMosaics #DoodleDen #BankHolidayWeekend
Video description: a series of short clips showing the process of today’s Rochester Sweeps activities. We have lots of colourful drawings across large runs of white paper. Funky foam mosaic making on black mount boards. The video shows some finished pieces as well as work in progress. Cats have been the popular theme across today.
20 Years of Creative Visions celebrates two decades of MESS ROOM founder and director, Wendy, working alongside blind and partially sighted artists.
@kabartgroups @kentblind
All artworks in the exhibition are available to take home in exchange for a donation. If something catches your eye, please email mail@messroom.org.uk
to express your interest.
You can support the work we do via our JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/20yearsofcreativevisions
The exhibition was held at Riverside Gallery & Café, Sun Pier House, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4HF
Open Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
@sunpierhouse
Photography by Gary Weston @spaghetti.weston
#20YearsOfCreativeVisions #KentAssociationForTheBlind #CreativeMedway #VisuallyImpairedArtists #AltText
Image descriptions:
1, Two people walking through the 20 Years exhibition, one has a white cane. Behind them, a bright gallery space full of colourful artworks, with one colour dominating the space, MESS ROOM and KAB red.
2, A window seal covered in 3D self-portraits of the MESS ROOM groups.
3, The cafe area of the Sun Pier House Gallery is full of people from various MESS ROOM groups. At the front of the image, one of the cafe sofas has been decorated with a knitted blanket. Each sqaure a different pattern and colour.
4, A shot of the back space of the gallery. The camera focuses on a 3D artwork of an angler fish. In the blurred background, people are standing and talking.
5, Councillor Nina Gurung talking to one of our MESS ROOM teamies, Libbie.
It was our second Kent Association for the Blind Art Group session today, and the MESS ROOM was full of soapy bubbles. @kabartgroups
Lead artist Catriona Faulkner was teaching the group all about wet felting. Playing with a colour palette fit for our project theme, “Tides”.
The KAB artists set to work on making their very own pieces of felted fabric. Layering the loose felt on sushi mats, coating it in water and soap, and then rubbing it together.
Everyone finished the session with their very own handmade fabric samples.
#MOSAF26 #Tides #KentAssociationForTheBlind #WetFelting #CreativeMedway
Video description:
A series of short clips highlighting the progression of today’s KAB Art Group. Artists Catriona and Shona can be seen helping the artists wet felt their work. Small pieces of loose felt are torn and layered on top of a sushi mat. Once covered in the coloured felt, water is poured over the felt to flatten it. Next, the mat is rolled, adding soap to the mat on each turn. Once fully rolled, the mat is rubbed together, pushing the fibres together. The end result is that of flat, multicoloured pieces of fabric.
Following on from our last Kent Association for the Blind workshop with lead artist Libbie, the @kabartgroups have been continuing their felting journey - this time exploring wet felting around balloons.
Building on the techniques they’ve been developing, participants have been shaping wool around inflated forms to create hollow, three-dimensional pieces. The process brings a new set of challenges and discoveries, from controlling thickness to carefully removing the balloon to reveal the final form.
There’s been a real sense of curiosity and problem-solving in the room, with each piece taking on its own character as the group experiments with shape, structure and texture.
It’s been great to see confidence continue to grow as everyone pushes their ideas further and explores what’s possible with this versatile material.
#CreativeHealth #WetFelting #AccessibleArt #KABArtGroups #InclusiveArts #CreativeMedway #KentAssociationForTheBlind #AltText @kentblind
Image descriptions:
1, Artist Kelly holding up her 3D felted creation. She has used two tones of blue. She holds her artwork up in the palm of her left hand. It almost looks like she is holding a tiny world.
2, A group shot of the KAB artists working hard on the wet-felted artworks. The table is covered in towels and materials.
Thank you for visiting 20 Years of Creative Visions, at Sun Pier House Gallery, Chatham.
20 Years of Creative Visions celebrates over two decades of MESS ROOM founder and director Wendy working alongside blind and partially sighted artists, supporting creativity, confidence and connection through art. @kabartgroups @kentblind
All artworks in the exhibition are available to take home in exchange for a donation. If something catches your eye, please email mail@messroom.org.uk to express your interest.
Donations can be made via our JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/20yearsofcreativevisions
Your donation helps us continue our work.
£10 could provide specialist swell paper or embossing foil.
£20 could cover refreshments for a month of workshops.
£40 could contribute towards specialist art materials.
@sunpierhouse
Photography by Gary Weston @spaghetti.weston
#20YearsOfCreativeVisions #KentAssociationForTheBlind #CreativeMedway #VisuallyImpairedArtists #alttext
Image descriptions:
1, Two women are facing the artwork on one of the gallery walls. One is holding a cane, while the other has a black guide dog at their side. One of them is pointing at the detail of the tactile works.
2, Two women sat at a table with mugs in front of them. They are both smiling at each other and engaged in conversation. Their mugs are placed onto coasters with raised edges. On their table, the 20 Years of Creative Visions poster.
3, A wider shot of a group of 5 people in a section of the gallery. Three are looking closely at the works, with Wendy in a bright red rollneck jumper and shiny red shoes, pointing at one of the works. In the centre of the room, the same black guide dog as seen in image 1, Prince.
4, Two people from our KAB Medway Art Group. One of them has a wide smile across their face.
5, Close-up on one of the artworks. A detailed painting of a peacock. Colours of blue, green and gold. Real peacock feathers are attached to the canvas.
