The Holding Palette CIC

Who are we

The Holding Palette CIC, based in Greater Manchester, exists to make room for what words cannot express. We believe that creativity helps people find their voice, grow their skills, and feel part of something bigger. Our workshops and programmes are designed with the community in mind, offering gentle creative spaces where people can slow down, make art, and feel more like themselves together. Our approach is informed by art for wellbeing thinking and led by an HCPC-registered art psychotherapist.

We also provide commissioned clinical art psychotherapy in schools, working closely with pastoral and SEND teams. We’re continually encouraged by how art helps children and young people regulate big feelings, express what’s hard to say, build confidence, strengthen peer relationships and settle back into learning, especially around anxiety, low mood, loss and overwhelming transitions. 

Why this matters in Greater Manchester

Across Greater Manchester, people are navigating growing pressures on their mental and emotional wellbeing. Local surveys* show high levels of anxiety and periodic loneliness, especially among disabled adults, younger adults, women under 45, LGBTQ+ group and those on lower incomes. For children and young people, wellbeing tends to decrease in the mid-teen years, and many young people say they have fewer places where they can relax or feel grounded. Creative participation also drops with age, despite strong evidence that creative engagement supports emotional development and later wellbeing.

Taken together, these patterns show a clear need across Greater Manchester: people of all ages are looking for creative, grounding spaces where they can pause, feel supported and reconnect with themselves and others. This is what The Holding Palette CIC was created to offer. 

*For more detail, please read Greater Manchester Residents' Survey and #Beewell Greater Machester Roport