Since 2022, The Workshop has had the privilege of working with local groups in a new way: listening closely to what communities needed and co‑designing creative projects together. Co‑design means creating something with people, not for them. It’s about listening, sharing ideas, and working side‑by‑side so that the final project reflects the voices, needs, and dreams of the community itself.
The approach extended our remit beyond children and young people, reaching those with lived experience of disability, neurodiversity, deprivation, or low social mobility. By forming these groups and collaborating on equal footing, we’ve been able to design projects that inspire change, provide training opportunities, and strengthen community networks.
Vision Norfolk: Sing4Fun
We partnered with Vision Norfolk and created Sing4Fun – a project that brought visually impaired individuals, their families, and even their guide dogs together through music. For many participants, social isolation is a daily reality, and their fortnightly visits to The Workshop became one of the few opportunities to connect with others. These sessions opened up a supportive space where people felt safe to step outside their comfort zones, sometimes even singing solos.
But Sing4Fun has always been more than just singing. It has been about connection, confidence, and joy. Participants found their voices, shared stories, and built friendships that will last far beyond the sessions.
“[Losing your sight] can impact on how you feel about the world, how you feel about yourself. You might think ‘what’s the point?’. It’s such an emotional thing to discover you can still do different things. Experiences like the choir give people confidence, they feel more capable.” — Penny Whitby, Vision Norfolk
The impact has been immense. Between 8–15 people regularly attended, and recent data showed:
- 100% reported increased confidence and improved mental wellbeing
- 80% developed transferrable skills
- 77% felt more connected to their community
- 75% learned or developed creative skills
Participants also shared their joy with others, performing in care homes and local venues, and even recording their voices in a studio – not only in song but through a podcast‑style project that captured their lived experiences.
We are delighted that the legacy of Sing4Fun will continue in the hands of Vision Norfolk, who recognise the importance of sustaining its impact.
The Purfleet Trust: Creative Wellbeing Sessions
We partnered with The Purfleet Trust to co-design a creative well-being programme for their users. The Purfleet Trust supports adults in King’s Lynn who are at risk of homelessness and through drop‑in conversations, we heard how vital it was to create a safe space for expression, reflection, and healing.
Attendance varied week to week, but the consistency of the sessions meant people could join whenever they were able. Over time, the impact became clear:
- 100% reported feeling better and more confident after attending
- 85% learned or developed creative skills
- 38% felt more connected to their community
Each week explored different creative mediums, from radio and mandala drawing to watercolour, upcycling, zines, found poetry and so much more.
“I’ve found Radio Club very good indeed. It’s very positive, very creative, it also brings out a lot of issues for people […] It’s been very positive to be able to express these things; when you’re isolated and on your own these things are much bigger than they should be, and when they’re shared you can reduce their importance.” — Rob, Purfleet service user
A recent mural project at the Wellbeing Centre showed the power of longer‑term work. As clients invested more deeply, attendance became more consistent and pride grew. The design reflected their own experiences, symbolising a “pathway” from homelessness and hardship to stability and home.
We are incredibly proud of the outcomes of this group. Some participants have gone on to create their own work outside of sessions, extending the positive impact even further. Alongside this, we’ve built a brilliant relationship with the Purfleet staff, whose commitment has been invaluable. As funding draws to a close, we’re exploring ways to continue these sessions, recognising how much the arts can benefit those who need them most – offering not just creativity, but expression, healing, and hope.
King’s Lynn Academy: CAP / KLYP
At King’s Lynn Academy, we worked with young people identified by teachers as having faced challenges such as low mental wellbeing, caring responsibilities, bullying or discrimination, foster care, awaiting SEND diagnosis, or bereavement. We co-designed a youth‑led project, King’s Lynn Youth Project (KLYP), which allowed students leading the way on issues that mattered to them. What began with climate action and the creation of an eco‑garden soon expanded into wider themes of mental wellbeing, creativity, and community pride.
Along the journey, students achieved Arts Awards, won the BBC Radio Norfolk Make a Difference Award in the Green Category, and even represented themselves at Buckingham Palace through the WoW Festival – meeting Queen Camilla and Dame Helen Mirren.
The projects have been as varied as they have been impactful: from building bug hotels and wildflower meadows, to creating wellbeing packs for peers, learning conservation skills on the Norfolk Broads, and producing their own music video shared at the Voices of Lynn showcase. Each activity was co‑designed, giving young people ownership of decisions and the confidence to speak publicly about their work.
“This group makes me feel I am part of something. I don’t really have that at school.” — KLYP participant
Our data showed:
- 67% of students learned new creative skills
- 60% reported increased confidence
- 50% built new friendships and became more active in their community
Through CAP and KLYP, students have not only developed creative skills but also discovered their voices, built friendships, and grown into confident advocates for change. Their journey shows the power of youth‑led creativity: when young people are trusted to take the lead, they flourish – and their communities flourish with them.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Each of these projects has been unique, but they share a common thread: collaboration. By working hand‑in‑hand with our partners and participants, we’ve seen how the arts can transform lives, build confidence, and strengthen community.
While funding for these projects may be ending, their legacy continues. The friendships, skills, and memories created will carry forward — and we’re excited to explore new opportunities to keep co‑designing with individuals, organisations, and the people of King’s Lynn.
