Reaching for the Stars – A Community-Led Creative Journey
At LW Arts CIC, our Reaching for the Stars project has brought together communities across Mansfield, Nottingham, Derbyshire and Chesterfield through creativity, connection and shared experience.
From the outset, the project was shaped by the people taking part. Our team enjoyed working with clients of Our Vision, Our Future, based in Chesterfield.. We listened carefully to participants and worked alongside them to design activities that reflected their interests, strengths and ideas. This co-produced approach meant individuals felt a genuine sense of ownership and investment in the programme.
In the lead-up to Christmas, groups spent time creating handmade decorations for their centres’ trees and activity spaces. These sessions provided more than a creative outlet – they offered opportunities to slow down, connect with others, and build a sense of belonging within welcoming, shared environments.
The project culminated in an exciting celebration event, bringing everyone together to share what they had experienced and created. The event included circus skills, drumming, dancing, spoken word and an open mic section, where participants were supported to step forward and express themselves. For many, this was a significant moment of confidence-building and personal achievement.
Across all locations, we saw clear impact:
increased confidence and willingness to take part
strengthened peer relationships and reduced social isolation
improved wellbeing through creative expression
opportunities for participants to lead, perform and have their voices heard
Reaching for the Stars has demonstrated the value of community-led, inclusive creative practice in supporting wellbeing and building connection across diverse groups.
We’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved and grateful to everyone who took part and supported the project.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting our community wellbeing project in Nottingham.
Arts and Crafts with clients of Our Vison, Our Future in Chesterfield.
