community
programs
Our Community Programs
Art and Action for Wellbeing and Inclusion
Thanks to the funding and support of several organisations, including Arts Council England, The Community Fund, Heritage Fund, East End Community Fund, Canary Wharf Group, Poplar Union, St. Margaret’s House, Praxis, and Shoreditch Trust.
In East London, we see amazing potential to bring communities together. By offering affordable and inclusive activities, we aim to boost well-being, encourage exercise, and foster connections, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and feel empowered.
Participants Testimonials
Participant Work & Outcomes
Community Celebration
Our exhibitions showcase the creativity of diverse communities, celebrating their stories and fostering a sense of pride and unity. Through these events, we highlight the power of collective work and its positive impact on well-being.
The project helps participants feel more connected, reducing isolation and significantly improving mental well-being through social and creative engagement, such as community gardens, photo walks, and meeting new people.
Improved Mental Well-being
We use photography to teach mindfulness meditation, helping participants develop new skills. Key benefits include:
1. Improved Mental Well-being: Creative engagement fosters connection, reduces isolation, and boosts mental health.
2. Reduced Stress: Mindful focus through photography encourages relaxation.
3. Increased Focus: Participants sharpen their awareness and concentration by paying attention to their surroundings.
Increased Community Engagement
Photography gives participants a reason to step out of their comfort zones, approach strangers, and engage in conversations. The act of taking photos serves as a comfortable way to start interactions, helping individuals build confidence in public spaces. Being part of a group provides an added sense of security and empowerment—almost like having “superpowers”—allowing participants to feel more at ease, connect with others, and overcome barriers together.
Skill Development
Participants not only develop photography skills but also enhance their ability to communicate and interact with people from diverse backgrounds, learn digital skills to improve employability, and children and their families have the opportunity to learn about wildlife and the environment.
Social Inclusion
The project created opportunities for participants from different walks of life, including those with disabilities and neurodiverse individuals, to engage with each other, overcoming barriers like social anxiety and fostering inclusivity.
“Pierre’s photography workshop granted me a creative outlet during the onset of precarious times. The experience was rooted in community. Everyone, unique in identity, lens and interpretation, had a platform to share and engage with each other’s creations. It was inspiring to be apart of, a form of mutual aid through art.”
Luna Terauchi