Year | 2023
Location | Glossop, Derbyshire
Clients | Reuben’s Retreat & Glossop Creates
Temporary studios to ‘Forever Home’: A children’s charity’s partnership with local Glossop creatives A creative revival in Glossop sees the partially derelict former Woods Hospital at Reuben’s Retreat temporarily inhabited by local artists.
Partnering with ‘Reuben’s Retreat’ and ‘Live Projects’ students from the Sheffield School of Architecture, local placemaking organisation ‘Glossop Creates’ have launched a new initiative to fill derelict and underutilised spaces around Glossop with temporary studios for creatives. The former Woods Hospital, inhabited by Reuben’s Retreat – a children’s charity that supports children with complex medical needs and bereaved parents, is set to become a ‘pilot’ scheme, with a currently derelict wing of the hospital set to be transformed into three new artist studios and an exhibition space for creatives to adapt and use over the next three years. To build off of this foundation, an aspirational toolkit has been created exploring how these temporary studios could operate at Reuben’s Retreat, and how similar spaces can be installed in other local buildings. Despite Glossop’s passionate network of artists, there is currently almost no provision for creatives in the town, and as such, this new influx of available studio space aims to spark a creative revival in Glossop that builds on its rich creative and industrial heritage.
The development of this idea has been fast moving, and within six weeks of conception the project has already hosted its first exhibition. On Monday 30th October, the exhibition space hosted a celebration of the present and future plans for Reuben’s Retreat, with prospective plans and visuals produced showing the transformation of the building from a dilapidated shell into studios, cosy apartments, play spaces and reflective gardens. Building upon existing architectural proposals, the designs showcase the characterful features of the hospital, whilst emphasising child-centred, sustainably designed spaces that promote well being. The images and presentation boards, arranged as a journey through the building, will be put to good use helping fundraise the £3.5m needed to see it realised.
The project team sought to work closely with the clients and local community groups, fostering a future partnership between an invaluable local charity and a network of passionate creatives. Nicola, Reuben’s Retreat’s founder reflected on the collaboration:
“Thank you for leaving your beautiful energy in this space that is going to be created and making happy memories for many children.”
Nicola Graham, CEO and Founder of Reuben’s Retreat
Mentor: Mark Parsons
Client: Reuben’s Retreat & Glossop Creates
Location: Glossop, Derbyshire
Students: Esther Calinawan, Haohan Kong, Ethan Mattocks, She Lynn Mok, Eleanor-Rose Parsons, Javari Cameron, Joseph Bass, Kudakwashe Muzamhindo, Cheiling Wong, Yuankun Fu, Changchang Guo, Mengli Zhang
