Our Community Programme Story
Born in Splott over 35 years ago, our journey started in east Cardiff and has taken us around the world. But, wherever we have gone, we have always come home again, bringing everything we have learnt and discovered with us. We are inspired by the people we meet, the conversations we have, the creative joy we see in others. This is what gives our work its heart and soul and purpose.
In recent years we have all felt the growing inequality and social injustice that affects our communities and the scale of the climate crisis is becoming clearer every day. Our Community Programme is a direct response to this. Emerging from the Pandemic, the need for urgent collective action and the important role that we (as an anchor organisation) could play became clear. Focussing on our free-to-access programme we build connections between people and within communities.
We have nurtured a strong network of partners and collaborators - a powerful alliance of third sector charities, artists and statutory bodies who have come together to achieve transformative change in one of the poorest and most deprived areas of Wales. Together we, the ‘Square Mile / Milltir Sgwâr’ partnership, have co-created a rich and multi-layered year-round programme of free creative, cultural, and learning activities and produced inspiring public events including Clifton Street Festival 2022, Park Light 2023 and Gwledd Park Feast 2023.
What we do and why
We are committed to building equity and reclaiming public spaces, recognising that diverse narratives and voices must always be present for a strong and healthy society. This can only be achieved through genuine co-creation, collective ownership, and collaboration.
We use the arts to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community; to empower and enable everyone to recognise their own creativity, celebrate both our diversity and what binds us together. We develop sustained programmes of work and build long-term relationships to create trust and ensure a lasting impact. Our work is multi-layered to meet different kinds of need and ensures a variety of gateways into the programme.
Community Champions
Our team of three community champions (local people with diverse lived experience) are active in the community; developing relationships and trust through conversation and discussion and bringing the voices of local residents to the partners.
Partnerships
We work with a wide range of partners including third sector charities, artists, and public bodies. We also host a termly Play Action Group (PAG) meeting with a broad range of other partners to plan play opportunities for children and their families across our local area.
Are you interested in joining these growing networks in east Cardiff? If you are doing work focused in our local area we would love to hear from you.
Contact: Kate Parry our Community Programme Manager, or Jo Taylor our Community Project Manager.
Get Involved
We work with community volunteers on a wide range of projects and activities.
If you would like to contribute your skills, time, experience and expertise and make a real difference in our community we would love to hear from you. We are open to your suggestions, drop us a line and tell us what your interests are and how you would like to contribute.
To get involved contact:
Email: [email protected]
Call: 02920 221 330
Whats App: 07500970567
