The Culture Works Collective

Group Prompt: In 2030, taking part in arts and cultural activity has been recognised as vital to wellbeing for a number of years. Every neighbourhood now has growing numbers of good and affordable facilities, networks, practitioners and transport links – and fewer people identify as lonely. Community cultural resources from allotments to parenting classes, faith centres to pottery studios, youth centres to repair cafes are thriving. These are rightly seen as excellent places to develop valuable personal, social and even academic skills. Many help re-connect people to nature, as well as to each other. They are useful tools in tackling inequalities, they promote wellbeing and aid recovery from mental ill health.

Group facilitator: Lou Lomas

“Care” was a key word that came up throughout both group conversations. We care about the well-being of the city’s artists and practitioners/communities and the importance of this and how we need to look after our overall health and wellbeing so we can continue to work in the ways that are important to the work that we do. 

The groups shared the importance of a commitment from a range of stakeholders working together to ensure that we continue to grow and support talent development and opportunities for others. 

That the cultural strategy was successful because of the commitment at every level, with regular review processes, conversations, and consultation – this is how we can identify what is needed. Ensuring that communities feel valued and supported, having access to a range of spaces to work in across the city (centrally and in neighbourhoods). There are lots of things we can do now in 2024 as part of our practice moving forward with the commitment and support from others. 

The group wanted to add to the original prompt – a clarity of signposting – reduce pressure, a range of ages.

Big Idea:

• We need to demonstrate social impact.

Quick Win:

• Conversations with local organisations and businesses to adopt the cultural strategy and embed in the processes of the health structures.

Transcript of post-its: from base of building (easy) to roof (harder/longer-term)

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• Money! Where do we put it, how do we secure it.
• What services do we already have how can we support them – who runs them?
• We need full accessibility: all abilities, ages, classes. Maybe social services/council involvement to reach ‘hard-to-reach’ people but also ensure people don’t abuse cultural services/facilities.
• Are there services we can re-open? Community centres, youth clubs, churches etc…
• Skill sharing – development – joined up thinking.
• 2025 – The Council & Coventry & Warwick University departments linked to the study of the environment come together with the local community groups to regreen the city
• 2024 – support involvement from all council services
• Health & wellbeing of experts/professions within the arts and cultural sector (equity across all wards)
• Investment in cultural strategy – personal level (policy making), collective level (across sectors), economic/financial, human action/volunteer ‘man-power’ time, shared resources. Foundation (early & ongoing).
• Communication with the councils whatever the political background. Too many times we are focussed on backstabbing and not enough on what we can do together

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• Communication with the councils whatever the political background. Too many times are are focussed on backstabbing and not enough on what we can do together.
• … away from a system but becomes embedded in the powers of the local that creates a wave of change.
• Strategies don’t remain ‘aspiration’. Strategies have action plans – milestones – who does what by when – and resources/support to creative new realities.
• Assessment of current situation – where is in needs and what is needed by wards – or sector to improve the current health & wellbeing of individuals.
• Everyone will know where to find and access will be easy
• We talk less about money and more about how we work together, share skills and expertise, no more silos!
• Working with the NHS to gain the factors of how health in the city can be better which starts with the communication and not shying away from stepping on toes
• Rather than delivering bits & pieces create a calendar of events that is marketed as a whole.
• Culture will be not the last priority but understood as the vehicle to resolve all other priorities.
• Democracy will be bottom up as it is meant to be

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• Fair representation, artists are not dictated to but there as instigator of change.
• Leadership – find local connected people who care about the city & the residents.

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• Everyone will know where to find and access will be easy
• We talk less about money and more about how we work together, share skills and expertise, no more silos!
• Working with the NHS to gain the factors of how health in the city can be better which starts with the communication and not shying away from stepping on toes
• Rather than delivering bits & pieces create a calendar of events that is marketed as a whole.
• Culture will be not the last priority but understood as the vehicle to resolve all other priorities.
• Democracy will be bottom up as it is meant to be
• Artists are involved at the start of the design of new places and spaces make sure they are fit for humans (not just for purpose).

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• Community arts hubs in each CV postcode. Full facilities, family friendly.
• The structure was never fit for purpose. Well, that will change now.

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• Local artist and organisations are recognised for the skills and connection to the communities. Given a lead role in working.

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• Social disability / council services / ££
• Re-green. Allotments sharing. Plant / tips etc with local residents to ‘re-green’ the area.
• Needs support grow council services to ensure safety / security / hygiene.
• We created a list of prescribable organisations – a central resource, accessible by all GPs of varying groups / activities for all ages.

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• Social disability / council services / ££
• 2024 – we had a key conversation with NHS, universities, business to adopt the cultural strategy and commitment to make it happen.

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• 2026 – Joined- up – Health & Wellbeing services with the arts & cultured. E.g. GP Prescribed – arts/ crafts/singing – physio, psychiatric nurse, pre/post natal, sensory impairment.

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• Leaflets and communication. Online and offline work and the communities between young and old

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• People know where to organically meet, do, and create impact.
• We demonstrate the social impact to those who are removed from grassroots and they will respond to needs we identify.

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• Local artists and organisations are recognised for the skills and connections to the communities. Given a lead role in working,

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• Everyone will understand they are accountable to citizens not to funders or bosses.