All Together Now
Building connected communities in the West of england
through culture and creativity
WHAT IS aLL TOGETHER NOW?
All Together Now is a multi-year creative programme operating across the West of England that uses arts, culture and creativity to address loneliness and strengthen social connections and belonging.
The programme works in the Pilot Communities of the Impact Alliance: Stockwood (Bristol), Charfield (South Gloucestershire), Somer Valley (Bath & North East Somerset), and the Mendip Villages (North Somerset), older people from the global majority, and disabled young people.
It also incorporates a creative employability programme, ‘Shine’ for young people not in education, employment or training, taking place March-April 2026.
All Together Now means ‘creativity’ in its broadest form including: music, movement, theatre, fashion, arts and crafts, film, visual arts, writing, digital, photography, events, festivals - and more!
We do not mean art therapy, or health and fitness activities.
There must be a cultural aspect to the activity, so food or nature can be the medium, but the cultural aspect is the focus.
Singing, sculpture, printmaking, poetry, woodwork, knitting… or something else entirely! We can’t wait to see what emerges and unites communities through the All Together Now programme.
What do we mean by arts, culture and creativity?
Who is delivering it?
All Together Now is the flagship programme of the Impact Alliance, a collective of over 50 organisations across the West of England. St Monica Trust is leading the project, with Bristol Beacon as the programme’s delivery partner.
The programme is supported by Arts Council England, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, the Grateful Society, and Sirona Care & Health, as well as local partners, artists, facilitators and community organisations.
So that:
People feel more connected and less isolated
Communities have regular opportunities to be creative
Local capacity, skills and social infrastructure are strengthened
Why are we doing it?
How to get involved:
Creative Practitioners
& Arts Organisations
We will be enabling and investing in local creative practitioners and organisations, across all art forms, who have bold, imaginative ideas for how creativity can build lasting social connection.
Activities will be centred around our six pilot communities, and will need to respond to the consultations already undertaken with community members. We will be particularly interested to hear from artists and organisations with existing links to the six communities, to ensure the work is sustainable beyond the life of All Together Now.
Financial support will range in size, and will be assessed by a panel of community representatives.
Applications will open
in May 2026.
Volunteers will play a vital role within the All Together Now programme.
You don't have to be musical, artistic or creative to be involved - everyone is welcome!
From helping us deliver creative opportunities in neighbourhoods across the city to supporting major events at Bristol Beacon, volunteers will be at the heart of everything we do.
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or completely new to it, we’ll provide guidance, support, and training so that you feel confident and valued in your role.
Whatever your interests, skills, or availability, there will be a place for you. We’re building a volunteer programme that is flexible, accessible, and shaped around the community.
volunteers
Volunteering programme goes live
in May 2026.
We are also excited to be running a trainee programme, designed to support and nurture six creative artists each year.
This programme is aimed at individuals who are passionate about using creativity to bring people together and strengthen communities.
Through a combination of structured training, one‑to‑one mentoring, and hands‑on placements within community settings, trainees will develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to support people in expressing themselves creatively.
Whether your practice is in music, visual arts, performance, or another creative form, this programme represents a wonderful opportunity to learn how to use the power of the arts to inspire, connect, and uplift.
Trainee creative artistS
Applications for trainee programme opens in September 2026.
Want to take part, but not sure how?
If you want to be involved but not sure how - or just want to hear more - then please get in touch: alltogethernow@bristolbeacon.org
Shine - All Together Now’s
creative employability programme
Led by Bristol Beacon, and funded through Youth Guarantee Trail Blazer DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) via WECA (West of England Mayoral Combined Authority), Shine took place at Bristol Beacon in March 2026, and was a creative employability programme aimed at young adults aged 18-21 from across the South-West, not in education, employment or training (NEET).
This strand of All Together Now targets a community which is strongly associated with loneliness (1, 2).
Over two weeks, the course supported young people’s confidence, sense of belonging and understanding of the world of work through practical, engaging and interactive workshops. Participants developed skills in CV writing, digital workplace skills, preparing for interviews and met with guest presenters from Boomtown Festival, City of Bristol College and freelance music producers.
All participants are now working with mentors to prepare for paid placements across the Creative Industries including Rough Trade, St. Pauls Carnival, Team Love and Bristol Beacon.
(2) The suprising truth about the generations that experience the most loneliness
