Guardians of the Old Town Hall

Chapelhay Community Partnership Arts Inclusion project
The Chapelhay Community Partnership (CCP) and Guardians of the Old Town Hall (GOTHS) are working with Weymouth and Portland Partnership and Dorset County Council to identify the needs of the local community in relation to Arts activities and events. The project began in December 2009 and will end in March 2010.

The aim of the project is to consult with the community in Weymouth and Portland, to find out what arts activities people from a wide range of backgrounds would like to see happening in their area. It is hoped that local people will be able to have some input into programming and planning in the Old Town Hall, which has recently opened as an Arts/Heritage centre. A report will be written, which will be used as a toolkit by the CCP and GOTHS to develop their audiences, and consider what new audiences need.

Two diversity consultants have been recruited to carry out the research, and will be holding four events for local people to come along and have their say. The vision behind this project is for people to feel that they ‘fit in’ and feel welcomed at the Old Town Hall and at other arts events in the area. The consultants are particularly keen to hear the views of people from minority groups, such as Black and Ethnic Minority, lesbian, Gay and Bi-sexual, young people, people with disablities, people with mental health issues, substance abusers and so on – the people who don’t traditionally have a ‘voice’. If you would like to take part please contact Louisa Parker louisaparker3@hotmail.com Or Angie Ward angie.ccp@hotmail.com