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
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Another fantastic day in the Mess Room for our #UKSPF funded project, River Medway Journeys.
Everyone`s hard work on their pennant flags and our upcoming exhibition in the Dockyard from March 2026 is on full display. @dockyard.chatham
We`ve had the chance to explore painting, embroidery, appliqué, drawing, embossing and so many other techniques in these amazing creations.
“I wasn’t feeling quite myself today, but I’m so glad I came, being here is exactly what I needed”
#PennantFlag #CreativeMedway #RiverMedwayJourneys #RiverMedway
Video description: a series of short clips that have been strung together in one video to show the progress of the pennant flag creations in the Mess Room Creatives workshop. Each flag features the River Medway in some capacity. From elaborate appliquéd squiggly lines with beading, to a colour wash with blue acrylic paint. Each flag is as individual and inspiring as their makers. People can be seen stitching into their work, and drawing into other pieces of fabric to later attach to their flags. Each flag is evidence of the new skills learnt during this project.
It`s great to be back at @the_beaney for Sensing Culture, our art workshops with blind and visually impaired participants from @kentblind
Hands on making and exploring, playing with Kinetic sand, moulding and visiting "What Remains?" The Beaney`s latest exhibition.
#SensingCulture #KentAssociationForTheBlind #MessRoomProjects #InclusiveArt #AccessForAll
Image 1, A smiling participant sits at a table shaping a small bird like sculpture from mixed media and mod-roc plaster of Paris bandage. Their hands are covered in material, showing an active, hands-on art-making process.
Image 2, Hands carefully press and shape kinetic sand inside a shallow tray on a red mat. Tools and materials are laid out nearby for tactile exploration.
Image 3, A close-up of a mould impression of a fish in sand beside a white 3D resin print of an Anglo Saxon brooch. The image shows the process of creating forms through touch and texture.
Image 4, A visitor with a guide dog uses their phone magnifier to view a large museum wall display about Roman soldiers. The display is colourful and text heavy, the person stands close to examine it carefully.
Image 5, A person stands at a light box that reads "Skeletons, scans and science" they place an x-ray of a mummified head against the light. The exhibit focuses on learning through touch and close inspection.
And we’re back! We hope you all had a fantastic New Year and Christmas break.
We are ecstatic to be back in the Mess Room for our Medway River Journeys UKSPF funded project (Mess Room Creatives). Yesterday we began to think about everything we have learnt over the span of this project. From historical context about our local area to new creative skills.
Everything we have worked on so far has been building up to our creatives working on their very own pennant flags. These flags will feature the River Medway in all its glory along with key historical features that make our river ours. In March, these works will be on display at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard. @dockyard.chatham
We can’t wait to share the progression of these artworks with you.
#UKSPF #MedwayRiverJourneys #RiverMedway #PrideInPlace #CreativeMedway @catrionafaulkner @wolfhowardartist @matilda_illustrates
Video description: a series of short clips showing the progression of the Medway River Journeys UKSPF project. Fondly known as the Tuesday Project. Lead artist Catriona Faulkner starts the session by sharing an example pennant flag. The flag is tall and slim, and comes to a large triangular point. The example flag is covered in dots in shades of green and blue. These have been painted onto the canvas flag. In the centre a huge red felt anchor has been stitched to the work. Later in the video, creatives group members are working on their own flags. Some begin by washing the backgrounds of their flags in a colour. Most opted for a light blue acrylic paint and water wash. Others are mapping out their designs with cut outs in paper.
As the year draws to a close, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of the MESS ROOM CIC community this year - our participants, artists, partners, supporters and funders.
Your creativity, kindness and commitment continue to make MESS ROOM a place of connection, confidence and belonging. As well as a hub for endless cups of tea. Together, we have shared stories, explored new ideas and supported one another through creativity, strengthening both individual well-being and our wider KAB Art Group communities. This includes Medway, Tunbridge Wells, Bromley, Canterbury and Gravesend.
We wish you a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful New Year. We look forward to continuing to create, connect and grow together in 2026.
It looks like Marty the guide dog is ready for his Christmas lunch. Best not to keep him waiting!
#KABArtGroups #KentBlind #KentAssociationForTheBlind #GuideDogs #Christmas2025 #CommunityInterestCompany #CommunityArts #KAB #PartiallPartiallySightedArtist #AltText
Image description: a close-up photograph of Marty, the guide dog. Marty is a very large golden retriever. He has dark brown eyes and slightly lighter sandy coloured fur around his eyebrows. He is looking directly at the camera and has a red and white Santa hat on.
A Little Christmas Wish from MESS ROOM CIC
This Christmas, if you’re feeling generous, we’d love to let you know that MESS ROOM has an Amazon Wishlist - and every donation makes a huge difference to us.
Items from the wishlist help keep our creative sessions running, our doors open and our creative community inspired. From art materials to everyday essentials, each contribution helps MESS ROOM continue doing what we do best: making lots of fantastic art, of course (and eating biscuits).
If you’d like to support us this festive season, please consider taking a peek at our Amazon Wishlist and choosing an item to donate. It’s a simple way to spread a little joy and show your support for the MESS.
Here is the link to our wishlist: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/I60LD0ZDNWV1?ref_=wl_fv_le
Alternatively, we have a Just Giving page, which you can find via the link in our bio on Instagram.
#KABArtGroups #MessRoomCIC #CreativeMedway #ChristmasWishList #AmazonWishList #PartiallySightedArtists #AltText
Image description: a picture of the Mess Room elves (team) in the Creation Space of Sun Pier House from the KAB Medway Christmas party. Behind them, a wall full of large, decorated baubles. They are flat, in colours of green and red and have lines of tinsel drawn across them. 9 members of the Mess Room team and KAB volunteers are in the image. Wendy is standing at the very front and is holding a beautiful Mess Room-inspired artwork by one of our visually impaired artists, Nick.
We’ve had another fantastic Christmas Party with @kabartgroups in the Creation Space at @sunpierhouse
A morning of warmth, fun, mince pies, tea, quizzes, laughter, samosas and guide dogs with Christmas hats.
It wouldn’t be a MESS ROOM event without, well, a little mess. Volunteers, blind and visually impaired artists all put their Rangoli skills to the test. Thank you @saharawellbeing for the coloured rice. It was great to reuse and create our own tactile and colourful designs.
After filling our boots on sandwiches we exchanged Secret Santa gifts, always a fun activity to do. Nick, just one of our talented artists, created a bespoke artwork for the MESS ROOM and team. We love it! And a lovely message too “Thank you for all your kind support, encouragement and inspiration. You have all worked so hard getting recognition, fundraising and much more. Thank you for everything you do. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas, looking forward to another fantastic new year. Best wishes, Nick”
#KentAssociationForTheBlind #KAB #KABArtGroups #ChristmasParty #VisuallyImpairedArtist #GuideDogs @kentblind
Video description: a series of clips from our KAB Medway Art Group Christmas get together. Sat in tables of 5, our KAB artists put their heads together on a number of different activities. Working together to come up with quiz answers, illustrate Rangoli artworks using different coloured rice on the tables, or working through our large table of snacks. The guide dogs are happily sat next to their owners, one even wearing a Christmas headband featuring two green Christmas trees. Our KAB volunteers are dressed up as Christmas Elves. Wearing fully green velvet outfits and Santa hats. at the end of the video, Head Elf Wendy can be seen holding Nick’s artwork. In the work, red Lego bricks are stacked to form a wall. The Mess Room logo has been painted onto the side of the red bricks. Looking like a mini mural.
On Tuesday 16 December 2025, we launched the first exhibition of our MESS ROOM Creatives: River Medway Journeys (affectionately known as the Tuesday Project), at the Guildhall Museum in Rochester. @guildhall.museum
The morning was filled with warmth and laughter as we celebrated the artists’ work, which will be on display at the museum until 27 March 2026.
We were honoured to be joined by Deputy Mayor Cllr Wayne Spring, who delivered a thoughtful speech highlighting the vital role creativity plays in supporting social wellbeing and good mental health - values at the heart of the MESS ROOM.
“Projects like this remind us that creativity is not just about making art, it’s about connecting with one another. The MESS ROOM does so much for so many people and its impact across Medway is clear. This project is a celebration of our wonderful river and all that Medway has to be proud of.”
- Deputy Mayor Cllr Wayne Spring
We extend our sincere thanks to the Guildhall Museum and Jeremy Clarke for hosting the exhibition and their invaluable support throughout the project. We are grateful to lead artist Catriona Faulkner, supported by artists Wolf Howard and Matilda Flood, for bringing this project to life and empowering participants to explore new creative passions. This UKSPF funded project has brought new connections, aiming to reduce social isolation all while promoting pride in place.
#UKSPF #RiverMedway #Chatham
#RiverMedwayJourneys #CreativeMedway @medway_culture @catrionafaulkner @wolfhowardartist @matilda_illustrates
Video description: a series of short clips highlighting the progress of this mornings launch of the River Medway Journeys exhibition at the Guildhall Museum. The Deputy Mayor of Medway can be seen standing at the back of the Main Hall of the Guildhall, surrounded by large, grand oil paintings. The room has been decorated with Christmas decorations, including a beautiful Christmas tree. Wendy and Catriona are standing at the front with the Deputy Mayor. Later in the video a few short clips of the work on display in the cabinets. Highlighting the techniques from previous Creatives weeks at the Mess.
