Community Voices To Co-Design Creative Offer for North Somerset

In a groundbreaking move that puts community voices first, a new consortium has formed in North Somerset to co-design a cultural offer that will explore creative routes to health and wellbeing using an innovative model driven directly by local residents.

At the heart of the initiative is the Citizens’ Panel, a deliberative approach that places residents—not just policymakers and arts organisations—at the centre of cultural decision-making. The new cultural offer will be created in direct response to the panel’s recommendations, ensuring that the activity reflects the needs and desires of the community.

The consortium includes Voluntary Action North Somerset, Race Equality North Somerset, Super Culture, University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust and Alliance Homes, in association with Citizens for Culture, Weston Town Council and North Somerset Council.

Dr Mandy Gardner, CEO of VANS said: "This is outstanding news for North Somerset. Our region faces persistent health inequalities, yet it is also home to an incredible asset — a committed and collaborative creative, community, and health sector. The CPP represents a transformative opportunity to harness the creative energy and ideas of our communities, driving change from the ground up. Together, we can build a future where people feel connected, joyful, and valued through Culture."

David Jubb of Citizens in Power said: "This is the first culture and health initiative in the UK to use a deliberative democratic approach to define its priorities and activities. It is well timed to build on the outcomes of Citizens for Culture, itself the first Citizens’ Assembly in the UK to create a Cultural Plan. Together, these pioneering projects mark a shift towards citizen-led systems change — where people, not institutions, define what culture and wellbeing mean for their communities, putting North Somerset and the West of England at the forefront of national innovation."

Phil Gibby, South West Area Director, Arts Council England said: "At Arts Council England, we believe that local communities are the experts when it comes to shaping the cultural life of the places where they live and work. That’s why, over the next three years, we’re investing £2.5m of National Lottery funding in three South West projects that will see arts organisations and partners work directly with communities to deliver creativity on people’s doorsteps.

From an initiative in Gosport exploring the town’s history, to a first-of-its-kind cultural assembly in North Somerset, and Culture in Common’s ongoing work with communities in the New Forest, these projects will bring new creative opportunities across our region, and I look forward to seeing the difference they make."

The group have been awarded £750,000 as part of Arts Council England’s largest ever Creative People and Places (CPP) Portfolio, which sees £42 million invested in 45 programmes from 2026–29, to deliver more grassroots-led cultural experiences in areas across England where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average.

CPPs bring together community, grassroots and cultural organisations as partners to take the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in creative and cultural activities. CPPs are empowering local people to pursue the art they want, where they live.

This funding is made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Every National Lottery ticket purchased generates money for good causes and enables people in villages, towns, and cities up and down the country to get access to cultural experiences where they live.