About The Wiggly Path CIC
The Wiggly Path Community Interest Company champions the role of the arts, creativity and traditional skills in promoting health and wellbeing in Co Durham. It works with local organisations and communities to develop projects and programmes that respond to the local needs of the people in our area.
What We Do
We at The Wiggly Path Company are Creative practitioners with considerable experience in leading and teaching individuals and groups new skills. We develop projects and programmes, taking an outcomes-based approach and using co-production models in the development of our work.
There is growing evidence that participation in creative activities transforms lives – improving physical, mental, social and emotional health. Creativity in all forms helps each and everyone of us.
Hopefully everything you need to know is included on our website but if you require further information please get in touch. We are friendly and approachable for any discussion about what your community needs.
We are a not-for-profit organisation with four directors.
Our Name
Our Mission
Life is a Wiggly Path for each one of us and may not necessarily be how we planned or envisioned it. Sometimes the deviations are joyous such as a new relationship or the birth of a child. Sometimes there are unexpected trials such as redundancy, illness, or grief from the loss of a loved one.
Each of us has our own routes but it is the common threads in our stories that tie us together into communities. We are individuals who have woven our own wiggly paths but are also part of a wider tapestry that shares these threads.
Creativity in all its guises helps us create our own local culture and sense of place and well being. Our mission is to facilitate workshops and creative sessions that allow these cultural themes to grow and bring us closer together.
Our Threads - The Wiggly Path Team
Colin Wilson
Colin has considerable expertise in the use of woods and metals throughout his career. He grew up in Bishop Auckland and Darlington and undertook an apprenticeship in Steel Fabrication. In 1998 he studied 3-Dimensional Design as a mature student and went on to be a lecturer at Northumbria University in 2004. He has had designs exhibited at international trade fairs and sold work to French, American and UK companies. In 2020 he left the University and started developing craft workshops with Sarah Wilson in Wood Carving, Slow Stitch and Woodcut Printing. We have seen the individuals leave from these workshops with pride and increased confidence to take part in developing their skills further.
Sarah Wilson
Sarah has managed a variety of businesses throughout her career and 2017 was involved in the founding of Self Made Studios CIC which she has guided and directed to grow as a small production unit for clothing manufacture.
She grew up in Darlington and studied Fashion and Textiles Design at Leicester Polytechnic before starting her design career in London. Sarah's industrial career as a Designer has spanned twenty-three years with expertise in special occasion wear.
Sarah moved back to the NE in 1998 and started teaching on the Fashion programmes at Northumbria University. In 2020 she left the University and started developing craft workshops with Colin Wilson in Wood Carving, Slow Stitch and Woodcut Printing.
We have seen the individuals leave from these workshops with pride and increased confidence to take part in developing their skills further.
Jane Crawford
Artist and Director; Daisy Arts
“Travelling collectively Art can transcend, take us on a journey of discovery; of us and our wider community.” J.C.
Multiple-skilled in her approach; theatre performances, film, art festivals, curated exhibitions, music, creative writing and commissioned art installations, Jane has been sharing the wonder and love of the arts within a community setting for over 25 years.
Jessica Reed
Jessica started as Product Developer at Self Made Studios CIC in 2020 and has had a significant impact in helping this design and manufacturer grow and develop. Her key skills and experience are design and creative/trend research, production, pattern cutting, CAD design. However, alongside these skills her business experience in managing daily activities, client liaison and production have helped this CIC weather the rocky shores of Covid and The Cost of Living Crisis.
All workshop practitioners have relevant Disclosure and Barring Service Checks and Public Liability Insurance
We use the Creative Health Quality Framework Recommendations for Creative Practitioners
This is a Person Centred, Equitable, Creative, Collaborative and Reflective approach to delivering Creative Workshops
Our Funders and Partners
Working in partnership with community and statutory bodies The Wiggly Path CIC is committed to bringing Traditional and Contemporary Craft programmes to our Area.
