Custom hoodie for a good cause
We recently had the pleasure of printing a special hoodie for Willowbrook Hospice but with a twist. This one’s heading straight to none other than Johnny Vegas, who’s known for proudly wearing his support on his sleeve… and chest!
A longtime supporter of local causes, Johnny often sports charity gear during TV appearances, helping to raise awareness in his own unique way. We’re honoured to have played a small part in that by creating a custom hoodie he’ll be wearing to help spotlight the incredible work done by Willowbrook Hospice. Even better, one of our talented team members, Will, independently printed this hoodie with our heat presses making it an even prouder moment for us all. It’s not every day you get to make something for the screen and for such a good cause too.
New community connector
Liam, a dedicated volunteer at Buzz Hub, has now taken on a new role with the OAC team thanks to the support of Alex Craddock, Mencap, and the Our Active Community project. Through their collaboration, Liam has been employed as a new Community Connector and has already started working on the project.
In his new role, Liam will be supported by Chris Meadows (pictured left), Health and Wellbeing Lead at Buzz Hub. Liam will be working closely with Alex to encourage more people with learning disabilities to get active and live healthier lives.
On joining the team, Liam said: “I’m glad to be on board to help bring more to the community and help get more people with a learning disability healthier and more active. “
This is a fantastic milestone for the project, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that the OAC programme is made for — and driven by — people with a learning disability. For more information please contact: alex.craddock@mencap.org.uk
Printing for a Pop-up shop
We were thrilled to collaborate with the talented Level 6 BA (Hons) Graphic Design students from St Helens College University Centre on an exciting project to produce merchandise for their pop-up venture, The KLASS Shop. The initiative gave students a platform to showcase and sell their original designs on a variety of items, including mugs, T-shirts, stickers, keyrings, and tote bags.
To bring their ideas to life, our print team used sublimation printing. This method is perfect for preserving the vibrant colours and intricate details found in the students’ artwork. Using our professional heat presses, we ensured each product met a high-quality finish while staying true to the creative vision behind it.
As part of the collaboration, the students were invited to a drop-in session at our studio, where they had the chance to see their designs go from digital files to finished products. They also got to experience the production process firsthand and learn more about sublimation printing and heat pressing.
The print team
This project was not only a showcase of the students’ skills but also a valuable experience for our own print team. Managing a large, varied order on a tight deadline provided an excellent opportunity for the team to strengthen their workflow and coordination skills. We’re proud to have supported such a talented group of emerging designers and loved being part of their journey”
“I am over the moon. Shout out to Buzz Hub for providing an excellent service! The pop-up shop was a good turn out – a lot of people were interested in the cat T-shirt I made, which was great. It was fun to do and be a part of.” – Kayleigh, Graphic Design student
We’re always excited to collaborate with local students, colleges, and creative projects. This one was particularly rewarding—not just for the high-quality products produced, but for the enthusiasm and energy the students brought to the experience.
Train station art
In partnership with Rotary St Helens, our talented art club members have produced a series of seven striking collaborative artworks, each showcasing a historic location in the town. Each piece is a fusion of contributions from multiple members, carefully collaged together to create unique visual celebration of St Helens’ rich heritage.
The project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the ‘Creative Underground’ initiative and coordinated by the St Helens Archive Service (part of St Helens Borough Council), aims to make the station more welcoming and reflective of the town’s rich history and creative spirit.
Throughout the project, our members explored a variety of artistic mediums and had the opportunity to learn new techniques, expanding their creative skills while working collaboratively. Each artwork draws inspiration from both the architecture of the historic site and the art movement that aligns with the period in which it was built:
These artworks will soon be installed at St Helens Central Station, transforming the space into a public celebration of local creativity, history, and community pride. This project was proudly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the ‘Creative Underground’ initiative, coordinated by St Helens Archive Service, part of St Helens Borough Council.
Together, through art and community spirit, we’re making St Helens a more vibrant place for all.
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- This article was written by the St Helens Buzz Hub Karten Centre
- Featured in the Karten Spring 2025 Newsletter
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