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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Stitch by stitch, story by story. It was our last MESS ROOM Creatives workshop this morning for our project, River Medway Journeys.
Since October 2025, our Mess Room creatives have been bringing the River Medway to life through mixed media textile works leading up to these beautiful pennant flags. Watching their creative confidence grow has been just as beautiful as the artworks themselves.
From first ideas to final stitches, we’ve seen people take risks, trust their instincts, and truly find their voice in fabric and thread.
See the finished pieces at Chatham Historic Dockyard from 7th–29th March 2026. See our pinned poster for further details.
#MessRoomCreatives #RiverMedwayJourneys #CreativeMedway #ChathamDockyard #RiverMedway
Video description: a series of short clips from this mornings Mess Room Creatives workshop. People are adding their final details to the beautiful, mixed media and textiles pennant flags. People are working with stitch, ribbon, cloth and beads. Finish artworks are held up by Wendy and Catriona to show the group. A room full of laugher and joy.
How is it almost March already?
We’ve been quietly working behind the scenes, and we’re thrilled to share that MESS ROOM has been awarded core funding from Postcode Society Trust for the next three years.
This vital funding means we can continue working with skilled freelance artists, support over 60 blind and partially sighted people across Kent and Medway, and give our small team the space to focus on leadership and growth.
The relationships at the heart of our work build confidence and wellbeing and this funding helps us protect and sustain them.
Raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Society Trust, we thank you for your incredible support.
#PostcodeLotteryPeople #PeoplesPostcodeLottery #KentAssociationForTheBlind #KABArtGroups #AltText @peoplespostcodelottery
Image description:
A man wearing a light grey short-sleeved shirt and a black smartwatch stands close to a large blue tactile artwork made up of square panels. He gently places his left hand against one of the textured panels, exploring the raised white line drawings with his fingers. The panels feature embossed outlines of structures and objects, including architectural forms and abstract shapes, designed to be experienced through touch. In the bottom corners of the image are logos for The National Lottery People’s Postcode Lottery, Postcode Society Trust, and MESS ROOM.
It’s Peer Arts day!
Today we were experimenting with funky foam mosaics, adding details to our Mess Room Creatives pennant flags, and here we have Michael doing an excellent job of adding texture to a white canvas.
With a plate full of different shades of blue, Michael dipped a sponge into each paint. Bouncing the sponge up and down on the white canvas and creating a beautiful ombré finish. The textured canvas means that the white previously painted on, now shines through and looks like ripples across water.
A successful and happy day.
“I’m so pleased to be back here. It’s a sigh of relief each week. Back in my happy place”
#KentAssociationForTheBlind #TactileArt #CreativeMedway #SightLoss #CreativeHealth
Video description: a timelapse of Micheal painting a canvas with different shades of blue acrylic paint.
February: Low Vision & Age-related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month
At MESS ROOM CIC, February is a quiet reminder that vision is more than what we see - it’s what we feel, imagine, remember and make.
Our studio is filled with texture, sound, conversation and bold ideas. Hands move across fabric, clay and paper. Stories are stitched, pressed, layered and shared. Creativity doesn’t rely on perfect sight - it thrives on curiosity, touch, trust and the freedom to experiment.
Many of our artists live with low vision or Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Their work continually expands what people think art can be - tactile, collaborative, inventive and unapologetically expressive.
This month, we honour different ways of seeing.
Not just through eyes - but through instinct, material, memory and community.
Here’s to art that is felt as much as it is viewed.
#LowVisionAwarenessMonth #AMDAwarenessMonth #InclusiveArts #CreativeHealth #MessRoomCIC #KentAssociationForTheBlind #KABArtGroups #AltText @kabartgroups
Image description:
A lady holding up 4 large sheets of paper, which have been decorated in loud yellow and orange swirled drawings. She is smiling brightly at the camera. This technique is all about how it feels to draw freely without needing to see the final outcome.
Some of the MESS ROOM team headed to the Faversham Literary Festival on Saturday to hear Professor Daisy Fancourt speak about her amazing book `Art Cure. It’s given us so much to think about!
At the MESS ROOM, we’ve always believed creativity isn’t a luxury, it’s an essential part of being human. What if making and experiencing art isn’t just enriching, but could actually help you live longer and even save your life?
In `Art Cure`, Professor Fancourt shares powerful research showing how engaging with the arts boosts wellbeing, protects against disease and supports the functioning of every major organ in the body. As Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London @ucl, and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health, she brings together over 300 scientific papers and years of global research to make a compelling case for the life-changing power of creativity.
The talk took place in the stunning Almshouses Chapel in Faversham, and it was lovely to catch-up with so many of our Creative Health friends and colleagues from across Medway and Kent.
#CreativeHealth #DaisyFancourt #ArtCulture #FavershamLiteraryFestival #ArtForHealth #AlmshousesChapel #AltText
Image 1, Exterior of the historic Almshouses Chapel with Gothic windows and pointed spires. A yellow banner reads “Faversham Literary Festival.”
Image 2, Screen inside the chapel showing the cover of Art Cure, featuring capsules releasing a rainbow stream of colour.
Image 3, Interior of the chapel with a dark vaulted ceiling, stained-glass windows and festival branding at the front.
We are so excited to share the official posters for MESS ROOM Creatives: River Medway Journeys - beautifully designed by Mark Barnes @mbarnesdesign
Join us from 7th – 21st March 2026 in The Namur Room, The Historic Dockyard Chatham (ME4 4TY) for a powerful exhibition celebrating our River Medway.
Over the past months, our MESS ROOM Creatives artists have been designing and crafting a striking series of handcrafted pennant flags. Each piece draws inspiration from the River Medway and its rich history - reflecting themes of heritage, movement, connection and pride in place. Together, the flags form a bold and uplifting collective installation.
Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by Chatham Dockyard, Medway Council, Midkent College and Medway School of Arts, this project celebrates inclusive creativity and showcases the extraordinary talent within our Mess Room community.
@dockyard.chatham @medwayartschool @medway_culture @midkent_college
Open Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm each day.
More information can be found via The Dockyard website: https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/river-medway-journeys/
Come and experience the river through the eyes, hands and imaginations of the Mess Room. We can’t wait to welcome you.
#MessRoomCreatives #RiverMedwayJourneys #CreativeMedway #HistoricDockyardChatham #UKSPF #InclusiveArts #KentArts #CommunityExhibition #AltText
Image Descriptions (1-3):
1 - 3. Three A4 posters celebrating and advertising the Mess Room River Medway Journeys project exhibition at the Namur Room in Chatham Dockyard. The posters are branded in bright, light greens and blues. Using dark blue to make the typography pop. The main poster has the title of the project in large blue typography. Immediately beneath it are six images highlighting details of the work in the exhibition. Poster two is a reminder of the dates and times of the exhibition in the same branding. Finally, poster three highlights the logos of all the supporting organisations of this project.
It was our second to last Mess Room Creatives Session today. The room was buzzing with creative energy and excitement to get these pieces finished. The pennant flags are really starting to take shape and the sheer amount of detail everyone has been able to squeeze into their work it truly something of beauty.
Stories of our River Medway told in fabric and stitch.
@catrionafaulkner @wolfhowardartist @matilda_illustrates
#MessRoomCreatives #UKSPF #CreativeMedway #ChathamDockyard #TextileArt
Video description: a series of clips showing glimpses into the creative process of each pennant flag being made. Each flag has a blue background. Created from mixed media materials. Painting, printing, drawing and more to create textures found in the River Medway. The flags have then been adorned with beaded and appliquéd works. Images of iconography from the River Medway. Upnor Castle, the Dockyard, Mary Ross and the British Royal Navy.
