It’s all happening at Ark T!
From the CEO
Ark T has been buzzing with creativity and connection — from children finding confidence through art to neighbours sharing food and laughter at our Community Lunches.
These are difficult times. At Ark T, no matter how much we’d like to, we know we can’t solve social injustice, poverty, and deprivation. What we can do though is offer free, safe, inclusive and creative spaces and programmes where people can come together, relax, build friendships, and be creative. Sometimes that’s enough to help someone get through the day. But sometimes, that helps a person to build the resilience they need to face their lives with confidence, community, and hope for the future.
So my message to you is this: don’t give in to despair. Every small act of hope gathers momentum and can ripple into real change.
Warm wishes
Creativity Changes Lives
Our HerSpace groups have been exploring human rights and inclusion through mosaic, sculpture, and painting – turning conversations into powerful art. Meanwhile, MySpace Online continues to support emotionally based school avoiders, helping them reconnect with learning in their own time.
Art Nest
Art Nest remains a calm, creative space for children needing extra support, many with SEND. Teachers tell us children return to class “happier, calmer, and more focused.” One child shared, “Art Nest makes me feel safe. I don’t worry so much here.”
Thank you to everyone who joined our colourful Open Day — the most common comment was, “Why don’t all schools do this?” We’re now applying for funding to keep Art Nest running into 2026.
Community Lunches
Our monthly lunches are busier than ever, bringing people together over food, friendship, and creativity. This year’s highlight were stunning performances from Oxford Opera — so popular that people even asked for autographs!
We’re funded until the end of 2025, but need to raise £6,000 to keep lunches running through 2026. If you can, please support us.
Ark T Collective
We’re forming the Ark T Collective — a group of artists who’ll deliver workshops, lead projects, and share their practice under the Ark T banner. We look forward to introducing them soon.
Exhibitions
Since our last newsletter, we’ve hosted three exhibitions in the Welcome Space:
- Pieces of Us — objects of strength, creating a portrait of resilience.
- Flourish — artwork from across our programmes, celebrating imagination.
- Human Rights — HerSpace groups turning big ideas about fairness and belonging into art.
Each exhibition has shown how art tells our stories and brings us together.
Welcome Trish
We’re thrilled to welcome Trish Elphinstone to Ark T’s Advisory Board. A jazz/world musician, teacher, and lifelong community activist, Trish has led music and arts projects across Oxford and continues to champion creativity and connection. We’re excited for the experience she brings. Trish joins long-time Ark T community member Shakeel Marham as the second member of our new Advisory Board. If you share Ark T’s values and would like to have an active input into our work, then contact us for a chat.
New Strategy
At the last trustees’ meeting, I presented a two-year vision shaped by conversations with our community, staff, and supporters. The trustees have endorsed this, and we now have a clear strategy and Theory of Change guiding our work. You can read the strategy here.
Holiday Camps
Our second holiday activity camp for this year, Camp Radiance, for children on low incomes has just finished. From yoga to sushi-making, the activities were full of joy and creativity.
These camps are funded by the Department for Education’s HAF Programme, delivered through Oxfordshire County Council – we’re so grateful.
Ark T in the News
Ark T has been fulfilling its mission of advocacy. Our CEO joined a BBC roundtable on burnout in the charity sector, and Art Nest was featured nationally in coverage of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), showing how creative spaces help children reconnect with school.
Ark T on the News
While the Charity Commission requires us to remain politically impartial, we use our social media to comment on issues that matter to us. Recent posts reflected on Rachel Reeves’ emotional moment in Parliament, accountability and neurodivergence in the Gregg Wallace case, and research showing solidarity can reduce populism. All speak to our belief that creativity builds empathy, responsibility, and connection.
Staff Training & Wellbeing
This year our team has trained in LGBTQIA+ inclusion, safeguarding, first aid, and creative mental health. We’ve also introduced psychologist-led supervision, supporting staff to recharge and reflect so they can give their best to our community.
Thank You
To everyone who has joined a lunch, supported an exhibition, or simply cheered us on — thank you. You are at the heart of Ark T, and together we’re showing that creativity really does change lives.
