AN exhibition displaying the artwork of Community Café regular Ashley Morgan will be launching at Skipton Library this month.

Ashley, who has a learning disability and lives in Settle, has been attending Horton Housing’s Community Cafés in Craven since 2015.

He has a passion for art which he has been pursuing as a hobby for many years, having enjoyed painting, drawing, photography and making sculptures in the past.

He made a paper-mache dove for Mental Health Day last October and has worked on creating a display for Settle's upcoming Festival of Happiness, held in late May.

Through the support of community development worker, Helen Bannister, and North Yorkshire Libraries, Ashley was able to showcase his work in public for the first time in March at Settle Library.

The exhibition enjoyed a successful run with positive feedback from the public.

His exhibition shows a variety of his pieces from landscapes, portraits and abstract images.

Craven Community Cafés, run by Horton Housing, are held weekly in community venues across the Selby and Craven districts of North Yorkshire.

They aim to improve the lives of adults who have mental health issues and who are at risk of or are experiencing social isolation.

Informal learning sessions and activities help clients increase their confidence, develop skills and access volunteering and employment opportunities.

Ashley said: "I enjoy going to the cafés as I meet new people and have become good friends with other café regulars.

"My life has improved since I began attending the cafes in Skipton and Settle, as previously I was isolated and did very little with my time, not attending any other social groups.

"The sessions and talks are interesting and I have learnt a lot of different things. I particularly like the art sessions.

"I have presented some of the sessions at the cafes, which has helped increase my confidence."

Alongside his involvement with the cafés, Ashley is currently attending literacy courses to develop his reading and writing skills.

He is also training to become a reporter at a local radio station, something which he enjoys and hopes to do in future.

On Fridays he attends art workshops in Bentham, which are helping him to develop his art skills.

The exhibition will launch at 11.30am on Thursday, May 18, in Skipton Library and can be viewed throughout May during library open times.

The Craven Community Cafés run every Wednesday afternoon in Settle and every Thursday afternoon in Skipton.