 Arts project shouldn't be viewed as a luxury but rather a necessity because they play a huge role in reviving the fortunes and boosting the prospects of many people. So say hello to Bates, a project here that helps people get involved with art, helps them to open their minds and be creative right here in southeast Northumberland. Bate received one million pounds from the National Lottery through Arts Council England so we're here to find out how that money's being used to help local people to connect with art and artists and also help them to develop their own skills. The fantastic thing about art is it's about infinite possibilities and so everybody is creative and so start with that and see where it takes you. I took up photography and then that took me on to writing and then all right into poetry but it's like a domino effect and I never read that as a child. What would a life be like without these opportunities? I would usually just sit in the house constantly just day and night. It's a bit of a lifeline actually. I did something definite that I needed in my life just to get married to house, meet other people. What's it been like to do things maybe a little bit more out of the box? It's really boosted my confidence and it's made us feel part of society again, it's made us feel important and that I'm just not a worthless person really. Producing art is always about a series of decisions so if you can do that within a positive environment it gives you the skills to do it out there in the world as well.