Arc - Arts for Recovery in the Community

What Arc - Arts for Recovery in the Community does

Arc - Arts for Recovery in the Community is a UK-registered charity (Charity No. 1107607; Company No. 05288784) that uses the arts to support mental health across Greater Manchester. Founded around 1994–1995, the organization spent more than 20 years in Reddish, Stockport before relocating in October 2019 to the Hat Works building in Wellington Mill, Stockport town centre, which collocates studios, a café and a public gallery. Its core product portfolio is a set of therapeutic arts programmes — Arts for Wellbeing, Young People's Arc, Creative Mums, Men's Music for Wellbeing, Age Well, ArtSpace, MusicSpace and the Pottery Pioneers ceramics initiative — delivered both at Hat Works and through outreach into psychiatric wards, schools, women's refuges, refugee agencies and deprived neighbourhoods. Outcomes are self-reported at the participant level, with 98% reporting improved mental health and 94% reporting reduced isolation on adult programmes.

The business model is that of a community-led non-profit rather than a commercial enterprise. Revenue is sourced from individual and corporate donations (including via JustGiving at £10/£20/£30 tiers and a corporate supporter programme), grants from bodies such as the National Lottery Community Fund, Awards for All, UKSPF and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, modest fees from public-facing workshops and Saturday Art Clubs (£3–£5 suggested charitable donations), and retail income from the Arc Centre Online Shop selling handmade ceramics, jewellery (the 'Arcware' line) and exhibition materials produced by participants on the Creative Enterprise pathway, with UK fulfilment via Royal Mail Second Class. Go-to-market is referral-driven (NHS, GPs, social prescribing, schools, community organizations) supplemented by events, exhibitions, organic social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube) and an email newsletter via Mailchimp.

Underlying technology is minimal and not proprietary: the organization runs on commodity SaaS including PayPal (payments), Eventbrite (event bookings), Mailchimp (bulk email), Google Analytics (web analytics) and JustGiving (donations), with no app, no API, no AI/ML components and no patents or trademarks identified. The workforce is small (14 staff) led by CEO Jacqui Wood under Chair Safia Griffin, and cumulative reach over 30 years is reported at 4,500+ adults and young people supported across Stockport and the wider Greater Manchester footprint.

Name

Arc - Arts for Recovery in the Community

Legal name

Arts for Recovery in the Community

Website

https://arc-centre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Arc is a UK charity using therapeutic arts programmes to support mental health for vulnerable adults and young people across Greater Manchester, with studio, café and exhibition space at Hat Works in Stockport, funded by grants, donations and modest retail income.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Arts & Mental Health Services

NAICS

Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA)

Keywords

• Therapeutic arts programmes
• Mental health services
• Community wellbeing programmes
• Creative workshops
• Wellbeing charity services

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockport

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The charity relies heavily on donations from individuals and corporate supporters, with JustGiving integration for direct charitable contributions at various tiers (£10, £20, £30). They also receive funding through specific fundraising campaigns.
2. Product Sales: Online shop selling handmade products including ceramics, textiles, contemporary handmade jewellery (Arcware), exhibition posters and cards. Products are made by participants on the Creative Enterprise programme. Prices are in GBP (£).
3. Workshop and Class Fees: Charges for workshops and classes including Saturday Art Clubs (£3 charitable donation per person), photography walks (£5), and various creative courses.
4. Corporate Support: Corporate supporter programme allowing businesses to support the charity financially.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Arc is a UK charity that delivers therapeutic arts programmes supporting adults and young people experiencing mental health issues, including Arts for Wellbeing, Young People's Arc, Creative Mums, Men's Music for Wellbeing, Age Well, and the Creative Enterprise pathway. Alongside these targeted programmes, Arc operates a public-facing creative hub at the Hat Works building in Stockport offering Saturday Art Clubs, classes, workshops, gallery exhibitions, a café, and an online shop selling handmade participant-produced products.

Product overview

Arc is a UK charity using arts to transform mental health, offering a multi-layered portfolio of programmes and services. The core consists of therapeutic arts programmes including Arts for Wellbeing, Young People's Arc, Creative Mums, Men's Music for Wellbeing, and Age Well. These are delivered through studio-based activities at Hat Works in Stockport and community outreach across Greater Manchester. The public-facing offering includes Saturday Art Clubs, Classes & Workshops, and Gallery Exhibitions. Commercial operations include the Arc Centre Online Shop selling handmade products made by participants on the Creative Enterprise programme, and Hat Works Cafe. The Creative Enterprise programme acts as a follow-on pathway for programme participants developing commercial artistic practice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arts for Wellbeing Long-term programme of therapeutic arts activities for adults recovering from mental illness, with reported outcomes of 98% improved mental health and 94% reduced isolation.
• Young People's Arc Creative wellbeing programme for vulnerable young people with mental health needs, including young carers, children of substance-misusing parents, and refugees; includes MusicSpace and ArtSpace projects.
• Creative Mums Arts programme for mothers focusing on perinatal mental health and creative expression, including those who may be isolated or experiencing postnatal challenges.
• Men's Music for Wellbeing Music-based wellbeing programme specifically designed for men experiencing mental health challenges.
• Age Well Age-friendly creative wellbeing programme for adults over 50, including pottery courses at Hat Works.
• Saturday Art Clubs Monthly drop-in art clubs on the last Saturday of every month (January-November, excluding August) for adults and children aged 3+. Suggested charitable donation of £3 per person.
• Classes & Workshops Year-round creative classes open to everyone, including art sessions, pottery, and professional development courses.
• Creative Enterprise Follow-on pathway for wellbeing programme participants developing commercial artistic practice, with products sold in the Arc shop funding programmes.
• Hat Works Cafe Cafe within Hat Works building serving hot and cold drinks, snacks, and summer specials open to the public.
• Arc Centre Online Shop Online shop selling handmade participant-produced products including contemporary handmade ceramics, jewellery (Arcware), and artworks, with UK delivery via Royal Mail at £3.50 per order.
• Gallery Exhibitions

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of participants report improved mental health
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YARAN NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYARAN Northwest is a community organisation providing services for vulnerable adults, new immigrants and their families in Greater Manchester. Arc hosts their exhibition 'Together Through Art' showcasing creativity, connection and lived experience. YARAN is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.
• Self Care Creatives CICcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf Care Creatives CIC led a community-led creative wellbeing project 'Patchwork of Positivity' at Arc. The project involved hundreds of community members creating 'self-care squares' stitched into quilt wall hangings. Funded by UKSPF.
• RoshniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organisation in Kolkata, India tackling domestic violence, illiteracy, poor health among young mothers, substance abuse and child trafficking. Arc has been working with Roshni since 2016 on community arts projects.
• Alvanley Family PracticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGP practice that referred 9 adult patients to participate in Arc's Pottery Pioneers programme as a social prescribing initiative. Participants created nature-themed ceramics including a community bird bath for local allotment.
• Signpost Young CarerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation for Young People's Arc programme supporting young carers through creative activities and exhibition opportunities.
• Pennine Care NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS Trust providing mental health services. Arc partnered with Stockport Young People mental health support team for Half Term Art and Wellbeing Day activities.
• Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned Arc for 'We Are Dreamers' project as part of Stockport Remembers WWI centenary. Partnership includes exhibitions at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hospital Rooms: Charity commissioning artists to transform NHS psychiatric wards, with explicit mental health outcomes focus and NHS partnership model closely mirroring Arc's Pennine Care collaboration.
• Paintings in Hospitals: UK charity that brings visual art into healthcare and mental health settings. Directly comparable to Arc in combining art practice with health outcomes and operating a venue-based community programme with measurable wellbeing impact.
• Live Music Now: UK charity delivering live music programmes in health and social care settings. Directly comparable to Arc's MusicSpace and Men's Music for Wellbeing programmes in using music as a wellbeing intervention.
• Music in Hospitals & Care: Charity providing live music in hospitals and care settings for health and wellbeing outcomes. Comparable to Arc in combining music programming with health-focused delivery and outcome measurement.
• Create London: UK arts charity working with disadvantaged communities including those experiencing mental health challenges. Comparable in using creative practice for social outcomes, supported by trusts and foundations, and offering progression pathways for participants.
• Koestler Trust: UK charity using the arts to support rehabilitation and wellbeing in criminal justice and secure settings. Comparable in mission structure (arts + vulnerable populations), charity funding model, and exhibitions of participant work.
• Heart n Soul: Charity using arts and creativity with people with learning disabilities and autism. Comparable to Arc's Young People's Arc and Creative Enterprise in combining creative practice, wellbeing outcomes, and progression into commercial artistic activity.

Broad incumbents

• Mind: Largest UK mental health charity, operating nationwide services. Comparable as a mental health charity but at vastly larger scale and broader scope; relevant for understanding commissioning context and competitive funding environment.
• South London Gallery: Established visual arts gallery with community and education programmes. Comparable to Arc in combining exhibition programming with community participation and learning, though broader scope and longer institutional history.

Others

• Arts Council England: National development agency for arts and culture in England and a major grant funder. Relevant as the ecosystem funder whose policy priorities and grant programmes directly shape funding availability for organisations like Arc.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArcStockport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9VAjGhhdTJtyuvIMPI93Cw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArcCentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/arccentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arc-arts-for-recovery-in-the-community

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arc - Arts for Recovery in the Community