About Us
Our Story: From a Vision to a Community
The "Why" Behind Infinite Wellbeing
A huge warm welcome to you!
My journey began long before we opened our doors in Heanor.
Starting in 2017, I ran cooking classes and saw first hand the incredible impact they had on children and their families. It wasn't just about food; it was about building confidence, growing friendships, and learning essential life skills.
I felt passionately that these benefits should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or financial status. For years, I ran free sessions and supported children to attend at no cost, but I knew that to make this support sustainable and reach more people, I needed a different approach. This led me to launch Infinite Wellbeing as a Community Interest Company (C.I.C.), allowing us to apply for the funding needed to keep our vital sessions free or affordable for those who need them most.
Proactive Support for a Well World
During my career in the education system, I saw how rigid policies often failed families, with support only appearing once a crisis had already hit. I wanted to create something proactive, a space where wellbeing is nurtured every day.
Today, thanks to our C.I.C. status and various funding streams, we can support children, families, and individuals to proactively manage their wellbeing in a range of ways through our ongoing and varied programmes. We believe that when individuals are empowered to change their lives, the positive impact is felt by family, friends, and the whole community.
"Wellbeing is at the heart of a Well World."
Rebecca Patrick,
Founder and Managing Director
Black Shale Ambassador
In 2024 we became an Ambassador with Black Shale, advocating for creativity and culture for our local children and young people.
What is Black Shale (cultural education partnership)?
Black Shale is a collective of creatives, educators and community leaders with an ambition and commitment to children’s arts and cultural education.
It works within a 5 mile radius of Alfreton, and partners include youth groups, artists and creatives, nursery, infant, primary, secondary and special schools, community groups, creative organisations, charities and local authorities. It is core funded by Arts Council England with additional investment from various grant funders and commissioners.
The partnership seeks to be inspired by our place and strengths - harnessing the magic and potential of living and working here. Black Shale has been working since 2018 in this way, and we know we have lot to be proud of and always more to do to make sure children and young people have access and influence over their creative, artistic and cultural experiences.
The partnership is hosted by local arts organisation Platform Thirty1 and you can find out more about our collective work at www.black-shale.co.uk
