A CHILDREN’S charity in Boscombe has benefited from a financial boost which will enable them to continue providing arts education for school kids.

Cary Lightfoot, 46, founder of Creative Kids, was presented with the cheque worth £3,500 by the Daily Echo on behalf of the Gannett Foundation.

Based in the Sovereign Shopping Centre in Boscombe, Creative Kids provides a space for children aged six to 14 to have access to arts education and to showcase their own artwork.

Ms Lightfoot said: “The arts are kind of being squeezed out of schools, so we think there’s a real need there.

“Every week here they’re learning new skills, and digital skills. We think this is really important as well, because Bournemouth has been cited as this amazing place for creativity and technology, but there’s definitely a skills gap, so we’re trying to make sure that children are growing up with skills to try and fill that gap.”

The charity provides arts education for all children, although Ms Lightfoot said 50 per cent are from a disadvantaged background.

The Gannett Grant will help Creative Kids open a public art space and cinema for the children in Boscombe.

Children and artists will be able to use the centre to showcase their work, as well as spend time with other children their age.

“Primarily it’s to bring artists closer to the children and also for children to be able to exhibit their work in a public sphere,” Ms Lightfoot continued.

“People can go through head office and book this space and then they can come in and use it and we can celebrate their progress.

“Boscombe needs something like this because there is so many pop-up events and festivals but there is not a permanent space.

“This could potentially be a pilot for a bigger arts project. I’ve always said if there’s a need, we’ll be here.

“We would like to especially thank The Gannett Foundation Grant for the cinema projector, the Valentines Trust for core costs, Talbot Village Trust for capital funds and New River Retail for sponsorship of the venue.”