Blackfriars Settlement’s Art2Print project praised in House of Lords

Baroness Thornton cited Blackfriars Settlement during a debate on the Public Services (Social Value) Bill, a private member's bill that seeks to require public authorities to consider social value as well as financial considerations when procuring services.

"The Blackfriars Settlement, which many noble Lords will know, is a small community-based organisation that is surviving against all the odds," said Baroness Thornton during Friday's debate.

"Its Art2Print social enterprise employs people with mental health problems and trains them in design and print.

"It is a partnership of funding from local authorities and money that the Blackfriars Settlement organises.

"It is doing a good job of building local print and design services for other local community groups and, more importantly, getting people who have had serious mental health problems back on the employment pathway."

This year Blackfriars Settlement is celebrating its 125th birthday and is preparing for the completion of its new building in Rushworth Street.

The charity is looking for volunteer trustees to represent local cultures, genders and age groups. If you can offer your time, skills or experience, particularly local knowledge, community needs, finance and development, marketing or fundraising, contact Julie Corbett-Bird on [email protected] for a first discussion or call her on 020 7928 9521.