| From the CEO Dear Friends Here in the UK, we’re deep in grey, rainy days — and yet there’s a hint of spring in the air. At Ark-T, that sense of renewal and excitement feels very real. Over the past few weeks, so much care, creativity and connection have been unfolding across our programmes, and I wanted to share a few highlights with you in our first newsletter of 2026.In these difficult times, community and connection matter more than ever. If you’re feeling a little disconnected — or simply curious to spend time in a welcoming community space — please come along to one of our Community Lunches (the next one is on 2 March), or drop into our Welcome Space at Templars Square Shopping Centre, open Monday to Thursday, 10am–3pm.Whether you come to make something, share a meal, or simply sit with others for a while, Ark-T is here — a place to belong, especially during the long stretch before spring truly arrives.With warm wishes  |
Be Kind, Be Brave, Be You – New Exhibition
Our new exhibition Be Kind, Be Brave, Be You opened at the beginning of February, featuring powerful artworks created by young people from our Her Space Senior and Her Space Junior groups. The exhibition also includes a beautifully produced flag display (see last picture) highlighting the heritage connections that run through our diverse local community – celebrating the many stories, journeys and identities that shape East Oxford.
Creative Wellbeing Retreat for OCVA
We were pleased to support the wellbeing of the team from Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action with a day designed to offer rest, reflection and creative renewal. Our programme included yoga, breathwork, hands-on creative activities, delicious food and thoughtfully curated wellbeing-themed goody bags — creating space for a team who work exceptionally hard to pause and be cared for. Thank you OCVA with trusting us with your care, it was a privilege.
If you have a team that would benefit from wellbeing support through creativity, we’d love to talk. Please contact Jo at jo@ark-t.org.
Record-Breaking Community Lunch
Our most recent Community Lunch was our busiest yet, with a record number of people coming together to share food, conversation and creativity. We were delighted to welcome Councillor Linda Smith alongside Edi Cayabyab from Oxfordshire Community Foundation. The atmosphere was warm and joyful — and our much-loved emergency chocolate corner was, as ever, extremely popular.
Creative Workshops at HMP Bullingdon
We’ve started weekly creative workshops with prisoners at HMP Bullingdon, extending Ark-T’s creative wellbeing work into custodial settings. While we’re not permitted to take photographs, the sessions are already providing meaningful opportunities for expression, reflection and connection through making. We feel so honoured to be doing this work.
Jo Race Appointed Head of Operations
We’re delighted to confirm Jo’s appointment as Head of Operations at Ark-T. Jo has been a valued and long-standing member of our team, and we’re proud to appoint her to this important leadership role. This appointment is a key part of our strategy to strengthen Ark-T’s operational capacity and to enable our CEO to focus on fundraising, advocacy, and partnerships – work that is increasingly vital in this, the most challenging funding environment the sector has faced.
If you’d like to read more about our priorities and direction, you can view our strategy here
If you’d like to support our work, you can donate here
Every pound — or for our American friends, every dollar — makes a huge difference.
Cultural Leadership Programme Completed
In January, our CEO, Catherine, completed the Cultural Leadership Programme delivered by the University of Oxford and Saïd Business School. The programme brought together cultural leaders from across Oxfordshire to explore effective leadership practice. We are grateful to Oxford University and Saïd Business School for the support that enabled Catherine to participate.
You can read Catherine’s reflections on the programme here:
Defining Equitable Innovation
Ark-T has been working with Oxford University on its Equinox project and has recently been asked by the univeresity to share its definition of Equitable Innovation. Here’s our definition,
” “Equitable innovation is innovation that advances opportunity and wellbeing across society — particularly for those with least access to resources — and that evaluates success by public value rather than private gain.”
We’ll be watching with interest how Oxford University and Equinox embed these principles in practice.
Dance for Dementia – Classes Begin
Our Dance for Dementia classes have now started, delivered in partnership with English National Ballet, Mumo Creative and Dancin’ Oxford. These sessions use gentle, creative movement to support people living with dementia and their carers, fostering connection, confidence and joy. Thanks in particular to Mumo Creative and Dancin’ Oxford for making these beautiful classes a reality.
