YOUNGSTERS were able to get their creative juices flowing with an artistic bonding event at a mental health charity.

Children and families were invited to take part in making their own prayer beads as part of Arts 2 Heal’s 1,000-bead challenge.

The charity, which is based in James Street, Blackburn, is aiming to make 1,000 beads by the end of March, which collectively will measure more than 100 metres in length.

Banu Adam, the charity’s founder, said the prayer beads will be exhibited in different places across the UK once completed.

She said: “The aim is to bring people together and creativity is a wonderful tool which enables us to help people interact and get to know one another.

“We are due to take the project to Parliament and 10 Downing Street.

"We will showcase our extremely successful project there on March 24.

“So it’s all extremely exciting for a small local charity.”

The charity supports those who suffer with mental health issues by putting on arts-health focused activities, which help develop employability skills and regain confidence.

It is a long-term, ongoing arts programme whereby each person has regular access to arts professionals and services until they are ready to move on, allowing time to gain new skills and benefits that flow from involvement in the scheme.

It provides group and one-to-one sessions.

Arts 2 Heal officially opened its doors to its permanent home in October after receiving a £114,000 National Lottery Community Funding grant, following years spent flitting between community centres, libraries and cafes.

Miss Adam said: “It’s a place where we can grow and flourish.

“We have somewhere to put the artwork, let it dry and enjoy it properly.

“The projects are a great way to help people get back on their feet.

“They help people engage and develop their employability skills.

“The projects allow people to be organised, creative and support those who feel isolated.”