Growing Creativity and Connection in the National Forest

These projects will celebrate the connection between urban communities, creativity, and nature.

The programme is developed in collaboration with partners across the Forest including Coalville CAN, Enrych, Burton Women’s Collective, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton Library, Staffordshire County Council and North West Leicestershire District Council, to create four unique projects designed to engage and inspire.

The four projects are:

Earth Narratives

Award-winning poet Hafsah Aneela Bashir will collaborate with Burton Women’s Collective to explore local green spaces through walking and writing.

These workshops will combine the natural world, faith, and language, resulting in text-based works created by the women, presented across Burton. The project invites participation from communities that are often overlooked, providing a platform to tell their stories and share genuine experiences rooted in their connection to green spaces and the outdoors.

TREES

Families and children in Burton and East Staffordshire will have the chance to explore the lessons of connection and empathy taught by trees through storytelling and puppetry. Led by Things That Go On Things, the project will include workshops at Burton Library and a live performance which will be presented as part of Brewhouse on Tour throughout the summer.

Of Dolls & Trees

Artist Alistair Gentry will undertake a series of mini residencies in Coalville, culminating in three micro-festivals.

These pop-up events will feature slow micro-paralympic activities, forest bathing, and locally inspired games and attractions such as a cosplay unconvention, celebrating the national influence of the Coalville founded toy manufacturers Palitoy.

Activity will centre disabled and underserved communities, whilst drawing upon Coalville’s rich history and connection to nature.

Curbarium

Led by artists Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys of INSTAR, Curbarium will celebrate the beauty of urban street flora. Through workshops in Coalville, young people will create printmaking and written works that will become part of a curbside street trail showcasing the resilience of natural ecosystems within urban environments.

This programme is about much more than art or nature alone—it’s about bringing people together, celebrating the importance of green spaces in urban areas, and showcasing how creativity can unlock health, wellbeing, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

As Jo Maker, Arts and Creativity Manager, explains:

“This funding is a crucial step in implementing our Arts and Creativity Strategy, helping us to engage communities with the natural world in new and meaningful ways. Arts and creativity bring transformative benefits to individuals and communities, and we’re thrilled to extend these opportunities to the people of Burton, Coalville, and beyond."

Research has shown how powerful the combination of arts and nature can be. Creative activities in natural spaces can boost confidence, self-esteem and mental wellbeing.

Arts and nature are a powerful combination. Studies have shown that creative activities in natural environments can boost confidence, self-esteem, and mental wellbeing.

The World Health Organization highlights how the arts can prevent and help manage mental health issues, support physical health, and foster deeper connections between people and their surroundings.

2025 will be an unforgettable year for the National Forest—a year where creativity flourishes, communities thrive, and green spaces become even more vital to our shared future. Stay tuned for updates on these projects and opportunities to get involved as they progress. If you'd like to support our arts programme more actively, then consider making a donation.