From the CEO
Dear Friends
It has been a little while since our last newsletter.
Like many charities, Ark-T has been navigating a difficult funding environment and has recently been going through a period of change. Whilst these decisions have not always been easy, we have now completed the first stage of this work and are beginning to look ahead with renewed confidence.
Although our financial position has improved in recent months, Ark-T still faces significant financial challenges and community support has never been more important. If you have ever thought about making a donation, introducing us to a potential funder or business partner, volunteering your skills, or simply sharing our work with others, now would make a real difference.
As you’ll see in this newsletter, there is much to be hopeful about: new partnerships, growing community programmes and fresh ideas for the future. Thank you for being part of our community and helping us shape the next chapter of Ark-T.
Warm wishes and stay cool
Art Nest Open Day
Last week, we welcomed families, funders and supporters to our Art Nest Open Day at Orchard Meadow Primary School.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was seeing children proudly showing their parents the beautiful and creative work they had produced during the programme. It was also wonderful to welcome so many supporters of Art Nest and to share the impact of the programme together. Cakes were another highlight – a regular feature at Ark T events!
A New Chapter for the Welcome Space
We’re delighted to share that our Welcome Space has secured three years of support through Oxfordshire County Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Over the coming months we will be refreshing and developing this much-loved community space at Templars Square, building on everything people already value about it: creativity, connection, friendship and belonging.
We’ll be sharing more soon about new activities, partnerships and opportunities to get involved.
Whole School Wellbeing
This summer we were delighted to work with Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, delivering creative wellbeing workshops to more than 300 children from Nursery to Year 6.
Through art, movement and creative activities, the project helped children build confidence, wellbeing and connection while bringing the principles of Art Nest into the wider school community.
Creative Wellbeing Workshops for the NHS
Earlier this month we welcomed local NHS staff working with children and families to Ark-T for a creative wellbeing workshop. The session offered an opportunity to step away from workplace pressures, reconnect with colleagues and experience the benefits of creativity for wellbeing. The response was overwhelmingly positive and has already helped build new relationships and referrals.
Our creative wellbeing workshops are also available for organisations and teams looking to support staff wellbeing and connection.
Camp Spark
This Easter we welcomed children to Camp Spark, our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for children who receive free school meals.
Through art, outdoor activities, food and friendship, children enjoyed a week of creativity and adventure while building confidence and making new connections. We loved welcoming both returning and new families.
Community Lunches Continue to Grow
Our monthly Community Lunches continue to bring people together through food, creativity and conversation.
Attendance has almost doubled over the past year, with many people joining us for friendship, support and a warm welcome. Delicious food from Damascus Rose Kitchen, cakes from Barefoot Bakery, live music and our famous Emergency Chocolate Corner all help make the lunches such a special part of the month.
Thanks to recent support from local funders and partners, the lunches will continue throughout the rest of the year.
More info here
Exhibitions
Our exhibitions continue to celebrate the creativity, experiences and talents of our community.
Our recent exhibition, When We Are Free, showcased artwork created by Ark-T staff and volunteers, while our current exhibition, NeurodiverCity: Hidden Gems highlights work created by young people from HerSpace Junior, HerSpace Senior and MySpace Online.
These exhibitions create opportunities for people to share their stories and increase understanding within our community.
Looking Ahead
We’re excited to be exploring a new partnership with EMBS Community College at Templars Square.
EMBS works with a diverse community of young people from across East Oxford and feels like a natural neighbour and partner for Ark-T. It is still very early days, but we have begun some exciting conversations about how we might work together to create new opportunities for local young people.
Watch this space – we hope to share more soon.
Clore Leadership Lighthouse
Our CEO, Catherine, recently graduated from the Clore Leadership Lighthouse programme, after being awarded a fully funded place.
The programme brought together social and cultural leaders from Global Majority communities across Oxfordshire, creating space for learning, reflection and connection. We are grateful to Clore Social Leadership and everyone involved in making the programme possible, and we look forward to bringing that learning and those relationships back into Ark-T.
How You Can Help
Community support has never been more important.
You can help by making a donation, introducing us to potential supporters, volunteering your skills, attending events or simply sharing our work with friends and colleagues.
Every conversation, introduction and contribution helps us continue creating spaces where people feel connected, creative and valued.
Thank you for being part of the Ark-T community.
