helen trevaskis

Founder StreetDraw24 

Suggested by Jessica Leah Parr  

Jessica writes:

“Helen Trevaskis is an illustrator, writer and founder/director of StreetDraw24 which organises and runs community arts events and projects to help us all see where we live through fresh eyes. It began as a project in 2018 when Helen moved back to Cornwall to study art and was reminded how difficult and unequal things are in Cornwall. Since StreetDraw started, it has motivated 100s of people to go out and draw, and has raised over £20k for charities working with people experiencing homelessness. StreetDraw raises awareness about Homelessness in Cornwall and funds for St Petrocs, Cornwall’s Homeless Charity.  

I have been involved with StreetDraw24 for 7 years and am now lucky enough to be part of Helen’s team. All of this has done my mental health so much good, to do something I feel valued for and belong to means more than words can say.

This year Helen gave me the opportunity to join her and the StreetDraw team at Eden Sleep Out where we drew into the early hours of the morning. While we were drawing we talked to visitors and staff about the value of Art for good mental health and how StreetDraw supports St Petrocs and the Amber Foundation who support young adults to transform their lives.  

Through StreetDraw24, Helen has given me opportunities I would never have had. She’s hardworking, encouraging and passionate about StreetDraw and everyone’s art work. She goes on radio shows, puts on exhibitions and does talks around the county, trying to help others understand the homeless situation in Cornwall.”
 
streetdraw24.com  

Helen’s projects include, StreetDraw24 in collaboration with St Petrocs which for 7 years brought people together to see where they lived differently and raise funds and awareness of the issues around housing and homelessness; People. Project Cornwall also with St Petrocs which aimed to challenge the stereotypes and stigma around homelessness that cause so much shame. It involved interviewing 70 people affected by housing insecurity and led to two large exhibitions and a book. The book reached the hands of Prince William - 'the best book on homelessness I’ve ever read’, and helped inspire the Duchy’s decision to build supported accommodation in partnership with St Petrocs at Nansleden in Newquay.  

Last year Helen was commissioned to create another book - Hope for Cornwall, about the housing crisis Cornwall still faces. Commissioned by cross-sector movement Homes for Cornwall. After researching the subject with 20+ experts and drawing on the first hand accounts of housing issues within the People. Project, she wrote and illustrated a book whose aim is to help create more positive and balanced conversations and decisions around housing in Cornwall.