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THE WARE ARTS CENTRE

CASE STUDY | WARE ARTS CENTRE

The Victorian Southern Maltings building in Hertfordshire has become a crucial hub for the community, since it was taken on by Ware Arts Centre in 2016. Since taking on the building and opening it up as a varied and versatile arts centre, it has become a crucial hub for the community, offering up a huge selection of events, classes, activities, markets and courses. From live music to film clubs, and gong baths to Yoga, ballet and choir groups, it has become a central creative and cultural force in Ware. 

We’ve had people come to new events that we’ve run who have lived in the town for 30 years and have never been in the building’… 

Alongside its cultural and creative contribution to the community, it also provides a variety of services for more marginalised members of the community. There are activities for people with learning disabilities, those suffering from social isolation, and a peer support group and milk bar for new mothers. 

The centre has galvanised local people. “As soon as we can get people through the door, then we get them excited. Once you walk in, you become part of that community.”

The community has responded to that inclusive attitude too, and Southern Maltings have more than 80 volunteers registered with them.

A lot of the other local towns are quite fragmented because we’re in the commuter beltBut we’ve retained that sense of community and we just want to make it a space that everyone can come in to learn, laugh, grow and do fun things in. 

People chat at a Leading the Way cohort meeting

CASE STUDY:
WALTHAMSTOW TOY LIBRARY 

CASE STUDY | WALTHAMSTOW TOY LIBRARY

As part of its commitment to environmental action, Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre tackles throwaway culture. 

The toy industry is incredibly wasteful. So much stuff is made of plastic that breaks in five minutes and then goes to landfill … the packaging of toys as well is ridiculously wasteful

The centre encourages people to waste less and reuse more, by lending toys and promoting the use of sustainable materials. It runs craft activities using materials that staff and families bring from home, set up a mobile library during lockdown, and established a pop-up ‘swap shop’ with donations from members. Its sustainable activities benefit local people who are struggling financially.