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History of Our Celebration

Before the closure of many psychiatric hospitals in the 1990’s many people with enduring mental ill-health were already placed in the community. Without adequate support or suitable training and work opportunities,they met with isolation and failure.

In response Mrs Emmy Burdon founded Our Celebration in her home in 1986. Then the organisation consisted entirely of people who themselves suffered or were related to a sufferer of mental illness. They made Christmas and party crackers and other products for celebrations which were sold party plan at normal market prices. The profits were paid out as therapeutic earnings to the workers who were on benefits. The group made beautiful products for other people’s celebrations - but as one of them said: “It is OUR CELEBRATION to be doing it.” Hence our name!

In 1991 Our Celebration became a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity. In the same year as their work earned recognition they were offered a cottage-workshop by North Yorkshire County Council Social Services.

With more space a Textile Project and an Administration Skills Course leading to recognised qualifications were newly established. By then statutory funding paid for some staff but mostly the organisation was still run by volunteers.

In 1997 the National Lottery Charities Board awarded Our Celebration £265.000 for new purposely designed premises. This again allowed expansion of the service. A Catering/Hospitality Project and a Leisure Club were added to the already existing activities. Mrs Emmy Burdon retired in 2002 when largely salaried staff were in place.

Emmy Burdon (Founder)
22/01/2008