Let's Create Peer Learning

We are delighted to welcome our new Steering Group for the Place-Based Peer Learning Programme. The Place-Based Peer Learning Programme is co-created by a Steering Group. The Steering Group meets regularly to participate in co-creation sessions, offer feedback from your place networks, and help identify how the programme can strategically address the needs of your networks and communities you represent. The new Steering Group is now in place until December 2028. Click the link in comments to meet your new representatives.

Join our upcoming session on Arts Council England’s place policy as part of our Place-Based Peer Learning Programme. The session will cover Devolution, Local Government reorganisation and Place-based initiatives, such as the Pride in Place strategy. The session is taking place on Wednesday 20 May at 2pm on Zoom. The session will run for 1 hour 15 minutes with a short break, including a presentation and opportunity for a Q&A. Book your free place via the link in comments. 📷 Culture Co-op, Creative People and Places programme.

Are you looking to engage with your place-based peers, share knowledge and discuss a range of themes? Join us for our inaugural online Open Space event for the Place-Based Peer Learning Programme. In the online session we will explore your place-based priorities, burning questions or debates through round table style, discussion groups. Open space prevocational themes or questions will be set by attendees and will be based on your experience or interest from your place. The free session will take place on Wednesday 22 April, 2pm-3:30pm, on Zoom. Click the link in comments to find out more. 📷 Creative People and Places conference at BarrowFull.

We are hosting an online session next week on the topic of community ownership. In session you will hear from a variety of organisations supporting and advising on community ownership. It's the ideal opportunity to hear examples, advice and guidance from support agencies, who specialise in private purchase, community shareholding, and asset transfer. The free session will take place on Zoom on Wednesday 11 March, 2pm – 4pm. This session is part of our Place-Based Peer Learning Programme. Book your place via the link in comments. 📷 Jesmond Library

We’ve just updated the LGA Culture Hub – bringing together the latest advice, practical support and signposting to data that councils need when thinking strategically about culture in their place. It’s designed to help officers and members connect culture to wider priorities: place��shaping, wellbeing, growth, neighbourhoods and long‑term sustainability - whether you’re developing a new cultural strategy or sense‑checking an existing one. The hub pulls together: • practical guidance and tools • examples of good practice from councils • links to the data that can underpin strategic decision‑making The work is funded by Arts Council England, and continues to be shaped by what councils tell us they need most when navigating complex choices around culture and place. If culture sits anywhere in your remit, it’s worth a look: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eJBg9R7f

CALL FOR INFORMATION: I'm conducting an evidence review for Arts Council England, looking at the impact of creative and cultural activities in older people's residential and nursing care. Do you have any robust evaluations of excellent #creativehealth practice within care homes? If so, I'd love to hear from you while I scour the academic literature. Many thanks in advance. Photo: Age Cymru Rebecca Blackman Sara Jo Harrison National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH) Jane Hearst The Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance Victoria Hume Prof Martin Green London Arts and Health (LAH)Anna Faye Bosworth Woolf FRSA Amalia Restrepo Ben Butcher Kate Hodson Robin Simpson Jessica Plant Seiwa Cunningham Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland Baring Foundation Angela Whitecross Laura Bailey

Join our 'Older People and Creative Digital Inclusion and Innovation' session next week.

In the informative session you will hear from different national projects and research concerning digital inclusion, creativity, and older people.

You’ll come away inspired by the examples shared, along with best practice tips for digital accessibility. The free session will take place on Wednesday 18 February, 2pm – 4pm, on Zoom.   Book your place via the link in the comments. This event is part of our Creative Ageing Peer Learning Programme.   📷 Ascendance © Keyhan Modaressi.

The Creative Ageing Peer Learning Programme is holding a free online digital session exploring this research with Carl Stephens, Digital Innovation, Arts Council England, and Sharon Wagg, University of Sheffield and others. Free to attend 18 February 2pm - 4pm https://lnkd.in/efmiv3kE

Would you like to shape and support the development of the Place-Based Peer Learning Programme? Are you interested in becoming a Steering Group member? We have an opportunity for those representing cultural place based partnerships or networks to join our Steering Group for 1 April 2026 to 31 Dec 2028. We have 12 positions available. If interested please register by Monday 16 February, please see the link in comments for details.

What a refreshing and joyous few days in Liverpool celebrating the start of NAPA’s year of Culture 2026 at their annual Conference, attended by Rebecca Blackman Sara Jo Harrison and Kate Parkin from Arts Council England and Let's Create Peer Learning It was a privilege to be part of the celebration; meeting activity providers, artists, agents for change and all who are committed to access to meaningful creative and cultural provision for those living in care settings. Well done NAPA National Activity Providers Association on a hugely successful event. We look forward to what 2026 brings.