An artist in residence has been appointed to support a community project in Scotswood, which hopes to inspire minds by providing access to reading materials.
Initial proposals for the project involve creating community bookshelves, stocked with free books and resources, along trails that encourage exploration of the local area. Residents will work with the artist to co-design and curate the shelves and wayfinding signage – as well a nature-based outdoor storytelling space.
Artist Sally Southern has been chosen for the project, which is to be delivered in partnership by Newcastle City Council Arts & Cultural Development Team, registered charity Healthworks and New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC).
The six-month artist residency will engage at least 500 residents from across Newcastle’s West End, ensuring participation from the area’s diverse communities.
The initial concept for the project was born out of work that Healthwork’s Lisa Conroy has been undertaking in the West End, encouraging local people to make use of Denton Burn Library and improving access to books for local children.
“We have been working with the National Literacy Trust, local schools, nurseries and businesses to improve resources and provide books for local children.” Says Lisa Conroy, Says Lisa Conroy, Health Promotion Team Lead with Healthworks. “NTWDC – the partnership behind The Rise development in Scotswood – funded free library sessions offering a host of activities to involve and engage young people and their families.
“Following this, a donation of books – as well as resources from the National Literacy Trust – enabled us to start a small children’s library at Scotswood Village Nursery, giving children the chance to take books home with them.
“We wanted to widen this opportunity further and NTWDC’s support for our ‘Book Fairies’ initiative saw book bags left around the community and encouraged young people outside, searching for new books to read.
“I hope this new project will broaden the scope even more, providing books for all ages and covering a large area between Benwell and Denton Burn Library.”
Three sites have been identified for this first phase of the project: In Benwell, Scotswood and Denton Dene. Funding has been secured through Newcastle City Council Arts & Cultural Development budget.
The plans will also provide an opportunity for local young people to hone their building skills – as NTWDC’s Lee McGray explains: “The team behind the project has asked if our young apprentices, currently training at the NHBC Hub, close to The Rise, could be involved in building the community bookshelves. They will work with Sally Southern and the local community to bring the ideas to life, using materials they are familiar with.”
“We are delighted to have been part of a project that has already had a huge impact in the community – which is evident by how it has grown and evolved.”
North East artist, designer and community arts practitioner, Sally Southern, has over 30 years’ experience delivering creative projects across the region.
Trained in Textile Design and Surface Pattern, she has worked as a freelance artist since 1995, combining her own creative practice with extensive community engagement work.
Sally said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed as Artist in Residence for this project. I’ve a long history working in the area on various art projects and it’s great to feel that we’re making positive and meaningful changes in the community. Over the next few months, we’ll be actively involving local residents of all ages – from pre-school to the elderly – in a series of creative consultation sessions. I’ll be listening to their ideas, opinions and thoughts and I’m looking forward to co-creating the final artworks together, representing everyone involved.”
Councillor Rob Austin, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Youth Services at Newcastle City Council, said: “We’re delighted to have helped fund this fantastic community-led project which will help people connect with nature, reading and each other. It reflects our 10-year cultural ambition to support grassroots culture, local artists and community groups that help culture thrive across Newcastle. Our ambition is to create opportunities for residents to get involved and enjoy vibrant cultural experiences close to home.
“As someone who struggled with reading growing up, I know first-hand how important it is that children and young people have opportunities to enjoy books and build their confidence with reading. Not everyone finds reading easy and projects like this can help make books more accessible – especially for those who might struggle or don’t know where to start.”
For over 30 years Healthworks has worked across the North East supporting people of all ages to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Its recent impact report estimated that its community interventions could have saved the health and social care system over £56million.
NTWDC is the housing-led regeneration partnership, comprising Newcastle City Council and Keepmoat, behind The Rise development – a project with plans to build 1,800 mixed-tenure homes in the west end of the city.
*Picture caption: Artist Sally Southern (left) with Healthwork’s Lisa Conroy.
Image credit: Barry Pells.
For more information, please email: David@persuasion-pr.com
