Supporting local opportunities for creativity in Reading Borough

Creative Lives is working with Reading Borough Council to support local opportunities for creativity. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we're pleased to announce we've awarded a series of grants to community groups for creative activities in Whitley and Church Wards, and to support building collaborations between local organisations. 

Reading Boost Fund

Organisation	Award	Project
Peaceful Beginnings	£500	Craft materials for their weekly craft group and materials for a new allotment for their 'grow your own' space.
World Groove	£500	New drums for their weekly drumming workshop and investing in advertising for the group.
Gospel Vibez	£500	Supporting venue costs, flyer design, and printing, and a photographer and sound engineer for their music group.
Open Mind	£500	Launching a photography exhibition exploring the local environment and lived experience of the residents.
WhitArts Community Group	£500	Supporting three workshops where participants create planter boxes and raised beds out of wooden pallets.

Reading Collaboration Builder Fund

Organisation	Award	Project
Rabble Theatre	£750	Developing four short plays based on the history of Whitley, in collaboration with and inspired by Whitley Museum.
Jelly	£750	Expanding their art workshops, including zine making, printmaking, and collage, in collaboration with ReadiFood.
Anurita Chandola	£750	Running a sustainable textile workshop to create a large piece based on participants' stories, in collaboration with Whitley Wood Community Centre.
Progress Theatre	£750	Creating a sensory performance using physical theatre, sound, touch, smell, and Makaton, in collaboration with Reading MenCap.

Banner image: Anurita Chandola