KAYLA Kavanagh and Neil Lockwood have been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award for their will to help children and adults in the community benefit from the creative arts.
Les Cadeaux, a pottery painting shop on Church Street, Darton, was opened by Neil, 45, in May 2013, after he returned from travelling in France and doing some pottery along the way.
Since then, the shop has evolved from being a business to focusing on raising money for charities and providing events at no cost to children and adults.
Co-owner Kayla, 39, said: “It’s fantastic news to be nominated, I feel so shocked but absolutely delighted.
“I’m so glad that working to help others alongside being a mum to my two children, Joshua and Bethany, is really making an impact on our community.
“It is such an honour to be nominated for an award - I feel quite emotional.”
Kayla and Neil have raised thousands of pounds for charities and children with learning disabilities, to benefit from the creative arts.
Katie Mason-Mara, 31, of The Grove, Barugh Green, is a regular customer and nominated the pair for all their hardwork over the years.
She said: “I’ve been going to Les Cadeaux for the last three years and both Kayla and Neil make everybody feel incredibly welcome.
“Myself and a group of other ladies, who regularly go to the shop, thought they both deserved to be nominated because they both don’t get enough recognition for what they do for the community.
“The family-run shop allows children and adults to be creative and paint their own pottery in a friendly, relaxed environment.
“The shop is also a breast feeding-friendly venue, which is really helpful to know if you don’t feel extremely comfortable about breast-feeding in public places.”
Les Cadeaux received a National Lottery Grant to fund a series of six summer pottery painting sessions for children and adults with additional learning or physical needs.
The SEN sessions take place at Darton Parish Hall on Sundays at 10am and bring together those often excluded in a creative, fun and safe social environment.
“We received £2,476 to help pay for all the materials for the summer sessions and we’ve had some lovely feedback too which we can use as evidence to help receive more grants in the future,” Kayla said.
Both Kayla and Neil said how they ‘strongly believe in inclusivity and want to help provide for every age, ability and background’ and try to raise money each year for local charities.
Neil said: “We love to help raise money for people in need as it’s so rewarding to know you have helped others.
“We helped raise money for a sensory room and feeding equipment for a little boy who was born prematurely Louie George Wood, from Mapplewell and also raised some money for the Tiny Hearts Appeal.”
“Our aim is to bring together those often excluded in a creative, fun and safe social environment, where people can take part in an artistic activity regardless of their age or ability,” Kayla added.
