Social enterprise gives 1,500 wellbeing-boosting colouring books to foodbanks

Gainsborough social enterprise Think2Speak has teamed up with celebrated artist Rebecca Strickson to create the Conversation Colouring Book – and they plan to give thousands free to locked-down families in need.

The A4-sized, 28-page colouring books are filled with colouring, mindfulness exercises and postcards to cut out, all designed to encourage families to have important conversations and spend quality time together at this fraught time.

Think2Speak works with families to help children and vulnerable people people participate better in society and provides training to institutions to make sure everyone’s wellbeing is top of the agenda.

The inside cover of the Conversation Colouring Book, suitable for kids aged five and older, features a pull-out A3 colour ‘THANK YOU’ poster that can be put in windows.

So pleased to have made this amazing resource with Lizzie and @think2speak snd if I do say so myself, it looks LOVELY💛💛💛 https://t.co/KQU9QMl8Ps

— Rebecca Strickson (@beckystrick) April 30, 2020

They’re being sold using a buy-one-give-one model – meaning for every book bought, another will go to a child living in poverty for free.

Lizzie Jordan, Think2Speak founder and CEO, said: “The idea for the books came about from the work we’re doing with one of the foodbanks in Gainsborough where we’re providing emotional support to people who are isolating and experiencing food poverty.

“Lots of the families were telling us they needed things for their children to do, but that they didn’t have access to printers to print things off. These colouring books are the ideal solution and have been beautifully created.”

She added: “With every book purchased, we will donate at least another one to a child whose family are accessing food banks. They need to know that people care and that they are incredible.”

⭐️The Conversation Colouring Books have arrived! ⭐️@fashionthing son is thrilled 🤣

All the preorders are going out today & tomorrow! Next week we'll be distributing donated packs to schools, food banks and charities working with children.
https://t.co/0CuWJxp7UT pic.twitter.com/VPzBt7IPng

— Think2Speak (@think2speak) May 7, 2020

The colouring book was thought up, written, designed and sent to print in just ten days as part of the social enterprise’s rapid response to the Covid-19 crisis.