In an innovative move to transform how culture and wellbeing intersect at the community level, Weston in North Somerset is launching a groundbreaking £750,000 project that puts creative decision-making directly into the hands of local residents.
This ambitious three-year programme aims to reduce health inequalities by co-creating cultural activities with active community participation. It forms part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places (CPP) programme and is the UK’s first to embrace a deliberative democratic model—placing everyday residents at the heart of strategic planning.
At the core of the initiative is the Citizens’ Panel, which will shape a new cultural agenda based on the authentic priorities voiced by community members. The project consortium comprises Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS), Race Equality North Somerset, Super Culture, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, and Alliance Homes, collaborating also with Citizens for Culture, Weston Town Council, and North Somerset Council.
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Dr Mandy Gardner, CEO of VANS, remarked, “This is fantastic news for North Somerset. While our area faces persistent health inequalities, it also boasts an extraordinary pool of dedicated creative, community, and health professionals. The CPP offers a transformative chance to channel the creative energy and ideas of our communities, fostering change from within. Together, we can cultivate a future where people feel connected, joyful, and valued through culture.”
David Jubb from Citizens in Power added, “This marks the first culture and health initiative in the UK to adopt a deliberative democratic approach in defining priorities and activities. Building on the legacy of Citizens for Culture—the UK’s first Citizens’ Assembly to develop a Cultural Plan—this and other pioneering projects signal a shift towards citizen-led system change. They empower communities, rather than institutions, to define what culture and wellbeing mean for their lives, positioning North Somerset and the West of England at the cutting edge of national innovation.”
Phil Gibby, South West Area Director for Arts Council England, highlighted, “At Arts Council England, we trust that local communities are the true experts in shaping the cultural landscape of their places. Over the coming three years, we’re investing £2.5 million of National Lottery funding into three South West initiatives, including this unique cultural assembly in North Somerset. These projects will bring creativity directly to people’s doorsteps and broaden access to cultural opportunities across the region.”
The North Somerset project is part of a wider portfolio of 45 initiatives under Arts Council England’s CPP, with £42 million allocated from 2026 to 2029 to enhance cultural engagement in areas historically underrepresented in the arts. CPP programmes empower communities by involving grassroots organisations, cultural partners, and local residents in designing and delivering the arts and cultural experiences they want—right in their own neighbourhoods.
This investment is proudly supported by National Lottery players, making community-led creativity and wellbeing a powerful reality in Weston.