Ark-T is based in Cowley, and surrounded by Rose Hill, Blackbird Leys, and Littlemore, in the top 20% most deprived areas of the UK, according to the 2019 Multiple Index of Deprivation. Here, in OX4:

• Just under 5000 children are living in poverty
• The number of young people seeking help from mental health services has risen by 40% in the last 2 years
• 50% of people aged 65 and over in Oxfordshire, say TV or pets are their main company
• Half of all LGBTQ people have experienced depression in the last year
• Only 11% of workers in England’s Arts Council NPO organisations are from global majority backgrounds
• Only 6% of arts workforce identify as disabled out of 20% currently registered as disabled

We aim to use the powers of creativity and community to tackle these inequalities by inspiring community-driven change. 

What makes us different?

• Our team expertise in the field of youth work, therapeutic arts, mental health and community development give us a combined total of over 130 years which enables us to work holistically.
• We offer 7 different programmes which employ varying levels of support for both improved mental health and wellbeing, and creative skills development, depending on individuals’ needs. Participants can progress through our programmes, as well as get signposted to services delivered by our partners
• We sit on several partnerships, including Oxford’s Cultural Partnership, the Oxford Anti-Racism Cultural Alliance, and the Roar Arts Partnership. Our passion for partnership-driven social change across multiple sectors inspires innovation in inclusion in the arts and education in Oxfordshire.
• We have achieved over 500% growth in annual turnover since 2017 and have attracted support from many major grant funding bodies, as well as individual donors.
• Our work with families, and our focus on different generations coming together to be creative and to celebrate, is a key way we contribute to keeping our community healthy and happy.