Connect Community Groups offers a high quality arts programme, through a number of art forms including music, visual and digital arts, movement and participatory film events bringing people of all ages and abilities together to be part of a creative and caring community where everyone is welcome and everyone’s voice is valued.

Within our regular sessions, workshops and seasonal events we focus on upskilling participants, through music and creative activities in a safe, supportive space, free from prejudice, that offers a sense of belonging, grows members’ confidence and self-esteem, and raises aspirations. 

“I appreciate your time and effort, Phill and Jayne are brilliant and I cannot thank them enough for how much they have helped me with my mental health and bringing me out of my shell. They are wonderful.”

V, Member of Wesley’s Community Programme

Connect Community Choir meets every Tuesday morning 10 – 11.30 am at The Well Community Centre, 92 St Albans Road, St Annes-on-Sea, FY8 1UZ (next to the YMCA) and everyone is welcome. Throughout the year, we also partner with local and national organisations, offering unique collaborative opportunities and experiences. In July 2023, for example, we partnered with esteemed arts organisation Bodies In Flight with over forty of our members participating in the Life Class Workshop exploring the theme of relationships through poetic text, music and choreography. The workshop was free, all activities were fully accessible to meet people’s different needs and a wonderfully creative time was had by all!

“I loved the workshop – the actor was inspirational, I loved how the square tango could be done standing up or sitting down and we weren’t bad at the songwriting at the end either, which was a revelation!”

W, Group workshop member

We aim to benefit the community by:

• Connecting members of the community, giving participants a ‘sense of belonging’ especially members feeling isolated, lonely or excluded in any way, by providing artistic opportunities for people to express themselves creatively in a safe environment 

• Creating a support network through the arts for members who want to boost their wellbeing and/or are experiencing loneliness, grief, physical and mental health conditions 

• Removing the barrier of commercial pricing which can exclude people on low incomes, as our activities are free, donations welcomed or with a small charge 

• Building confidence and self-esteem and providing opportunities for members to share their work in performance or exhibition spaces

• Upskilling participants in their chosen art form

• Reducing anxiety through a range of relaxation techniques and the recognised wellbeing benefits of connecting and participating in creative activities and groups 

• Maintaining the quality of the artistic experience through the standard of the teaching, involvement of experts and through collaborative partnerships with professional artistic and educational organisations  

• Sharing art events and performances within local communities at no or minimal cost to increase accessibility and participation