Community Arts Projects

Creating Stronger Communities Through Creativity

Since 2008, Creative Hands Foundation has worked with communities across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North West England and North Wales to deliver creative programmes that improve health and wellbeing, celebrate cultural heritage and strengthen community cohesion.

Working alongside local authorities, schools, museums, NHS organisations, charities and community groups, we have successfully delivered hundreds of creative workshops, exhibitions and community engagement projects that have inspired thousands of participants of all ages and backgrounds.

Our projects use creativity to address real social issues including loneliness, mental health, youth engagement, cultural inclusion, skills development and community resilience.

Our Areas of Work

We design and deliver projects across a wide range of themes, including:

🎨 Community Arts and Creative Learning

❤️ Creative Health and Wellbeing

🌍 African Heritage and Intercultural Education

🥁 African Drumming, Music and Performance

🏛 Heritage, Oral History and Cultural Preservation

🗿 Public Art and Community Sculpture

👩 Women’s Empowerment and Creative Enterprise

👦 Youth Engagement and Skills Development

🏫 School Curriculum Enrichment

🤝 Community Cohesion and Social Inclusion

🌱 Volunteering and Creative Enterprise

Our Community Partners

Over the past 17 years we have worked with numerous organisations including:

  • Manchester City Council
  • Longsight Library
  • Trinity House Community Resource Centre
  • Community Arts North West
  • BBC Radio Manchester
  • BBC Radio Blackburn
  • Africana Radio
  • The National Lottery Community Fund
  • National Lottery Heritage Fund
  • Zion Arts Centre
  • S4B Housing
  • The Beginning Group
  • 422 Community Hub
  • Northmoor Community Centre
  • Brothers of Charity Services
  • Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
  • South Ribble Borough Council
  • Schools, colleges and community organisations across the North West

Featured Community Projects

Cross Cultural Textiles

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this project explored the history and cultural significance of African wax print textiles through community workshops, exhibitions and a documentary film. Participants learned about textile heritage while developing practical creative skills.

FESTAC ’77 in Retrospect

A heritage project celebrating the legacy of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture through exhibitions, talks, creative workshops and community engagement activities.

Creative Health & Wellbeing

Working with community organisations and NHS partners, we deliver creative health programmes including:

  • Mental Health Resilience Hubs
  • Arts for Wellbeing
  • Dance and Keep-Fit
  • African Drumming for Wellbeing
  • Creative workshops that reduce loneliness and social isolation

COVID-19 Community Response

Supported by HM Government and The National Lottery Community Fund, Creative Hands Foundation delivered emergency welfare support during the pandemic, including befriending services, telephone wellbeing support, food parcels and essential supplies for vulnerable individuals and families.

Schools and Young People

Since 2008, we have delivered arts, music, dance and heritage projects in schools, youth centres and community venues, helping young people develop creativity, confidence, teamwork and leadership skills.

Community Exhibitions

Many of our projects culminate in exhibitions, performances and public showcases that celebrate participants’ achievements and strengthen community pride.

Where We Have Worked

Creative Hands Foundation has delivered projects in numerous venues including:

  • Longsight Library
  • Leyland Library
  • Trinity House Community Resource Centre
  • Zion Arts Centre
  • Alexandra Park
  • Platt Fields Park
  • Gorton Park
  • Crowcroft Park
  • Nutsford Vale Park
  • Nigeria Centre Manchester
  • Central Library Manchester
  • Schools throughout Greater Manchester
  • Community venues across Lancashire and North Wales

Our Impact

Since 2008, Creative Hands Foundation has:

  • Delivered hundreds of arts, heritage and wellbeing workshops.
  • Worked with thousands of participants from diverse communities.
  • Developed long-term partnerships with local authorities, schools, libraries, NHS organisations and community groups.
  • Supported people of all ages to improve confidence, creativity, wellbeing and employability.
  • Used creativity to strengthen communities and celebrate cultural diversity.

What Participants Say

“I didn’t know I could do this! I’ve learnt something new and discovered abilities I never knew I had. It was relaxing, enjoyable and a wonderful opportunity to meet new people.”
— Fiona

“I had a fantastic session unlike anything I’ve done before. I played music, danced in front of strangers, created a clay sculpture and left feeling completely stress free.”
— Participant

“Thank you both. I had a wonderful time. The workshop really helped relieve my stress and I can’t wait to come back.”
— Asma

“It was entertaining, inspiring and I learnt so many new things while creating something I am really proud of.”
— Linda

Our Commitment

Every project we deliver reflects our belief that creativity can transform lives, improve wellbeing and bring communities together. Whether through arts, heritage, music, public art or creative health programmes, we remain committed to Inspiring Change Through the Arts.

Creative Hands Foundation