Arts and culture project supported by Clarion Futures is awarded £1m grant

A project supported by Clarion Futures - our charitable foundation - that empowers residents living in Havering to shape, create and take part in a thriving arts and culture programme, has been awarded £1 million by Arts Council England to deliver more cultural experiences on their doorstep.

The funding - made possible from National Lottery ticket purchases - comes from Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places Portfolio (CPP), which is investing £42 million in 45 programmes from 2026 to 2029 to boost cultural experiences in areas across England where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average.

From small ideas to large celebrations, since 2019 Havering Changing has transformed local spaces in the London borough into places bursting with creativity, with residents at the heart of the decision-making; turning markets, parks and youth centres into vibrant stages where stories are told and Havering’s rich diversity can shine.

It has led more than 600 projects and events, reached nearly 80,000 people and invested over £2 million back into Havering’s creative economy, proving how powerful culture can be when the community itself are at the heart of decision-making.

The positive impact Havering Changing has had on its communities, has meant that the annual funding has increased by a third, from £250,000 to £333,000, showing real confidence in the creativity and impact of local people.

The next stage of Havering Changing will make creativity a part of everyday life across the borough. Local Change Makers will lead new ‘On Your Doorstep’ arts activities and Creativity Hubs will turn familiar community spaces into lively places for culture.

Borough-wide projects will bring neighbours together to celebrate and share experiences, while a new Storytelling Co-operative will help residents tell Havering’s story in their own words.

Through exciting Creative Exchanges with artists from across the UK and beyond, and more leadership opportunities for young people, Havering Changing will continue to celebrate the borough’s diversity, build local pride and make arts and culture everyone can enjoy and take part in.

Matt Parsonage, Head of Communities at Clarion Futures, said: “We’re proud to be one of the founding partners of Havering Changing - a project that has made such a difference to local communities, including our residents in Orchard Village.

“By empowering people to shape the programme of events and activities, Havering Changing is helping to highlight the borough’s rich diversity, foster community pride, and ensure that culture is accessible and enjoyable for all, and we’re excited to see how this progresses in this new phase.”

CPPs draw together community, grassroots and cultural organisations as partners to take the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in creative and cultural activities. Led by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and a group of local partners, including Clarion Futures, Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA), Havering Volunteer Centre, Havering Youth Services & myplace, New City College, Kaleidoscope and The Mercury Shopping Centre, Havering Changing supports residents in Collier Row, Harold Hill, Orchard Village, Rainham and Rush Green.

Find out more and sign up for updates at www.haveringchanging.org or email hello@haveringchanging.org.

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^{Photo by © Hannah Davis / Havering Changing}