It started with a patch of our own.
Picapatch grew out of a problem we knew first-hand. Like so many small, community-led projects, we had big ideas, plenty of enthusiasm and a real desire to make a difference. What we didn't have was an easy, engaging way to raise the money to make those ideas happen.
Alongside running our small design studio, we started The Homeland Project CIC: a community organisation creating opportunities for people to connect through nature, creativity and time spent outdoors.
We had a place. We had plenty of ideas. We had people willing to help. What we didn’t have was much money.
And raising it wasn’t particularly easy.
Like lots of new community organisations, we found ourselves in a strange position. We were doing good things, with good people, for good reasons. But we were new. We didn’t have years of accounts, a long funding history or much money in the bank. Many traditional funding routes simply weren’t open to us yet.
At the same time, looking after a physical place costs money. There were trees to plant, beds to build, a pond to restore, buildings to repair and spaces we wanted to bring back into use.
Could there be another way?
Between us, we bring together a rather eclectic mix of skills and experience. Jess is an art psychotherapist, wellbeing facilitator, ceramicist and potter, while Sam is a designer, and drummer, and an outdoor nature connection facilitator. Our work has always been about creativity, connection and helping people find a sense of belonging, whether that's through art, nature, music or community.
So we began thinking about how we could bring some of those ideas together and tell the story of a place differently. What if people could explore it for themselves, discover the stories behind the things we were working on, and feel a connection to what was happening there? What if, rather than simply asking for donations, we could invite people to become a little part of the place and help shape its future?
What if you could choose a little piece of a place to care about?
Somewhere between conversations about funding, maps, storytelling and our relationship with place, the idea for Picapatch began to take shape.
We shared those early sketches and ideas with Will from Riverbank, a developer we've worked with for years. We knew he shared our enthusiasm for doing good things, and was always up for a new challenge, especially one that's good for the soul. He's helped turn those early ideas into something that works...and beautifully!
Along the way, friends, community organisations, designers, and lots of generous people have shared their experience, encouragement and ideas, helping shape Picapatch into what it is today.
Picapatch grew out of our own need, but we hope it can help many other places tell their stories, bring people together and raise the funds to turn their ideas into reality.
Sam & Jess
Founders of Picapatch
We want to be open about something else.
We use AI.
As people who work in the creative industries, our relationship with AI isn't without its discomfort. We believe in real illustrators, designers, writers, photographers and makers. We believe creative work has value, and that the people behind it deserve recognition and fair payment.
Wherever possible, we want Picapatch to celebrate real people doing real things, in real places. Real photography, original illustrations, human stories and the work of talented creatives. That's what we're here to support, after all.
But Picapatch is starting small. And one of the principles behind it is that the cost of raising money shouldn't swallow up the money being raised.
So yes, we use AI. Selectively, thoughtfully, and as one tool among many. It helps our small team explore ideas, develop imagery and build things that we simply couldn't afford to commission at this early stage.
It's a compromise, and we'd rather be open about it than pretend otherwise.
Our hope is that, as Picapatch grows, we'll be able to collaborate with and commission more of the brilliant creative people whose work we admire. Because ultimately, this whole thing is about supporting people, places and the things we make together.
Photographed by Wijs Wise on Pexels.
Ahh, a real robin!