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.
What do we mean by arts, culture and creativity?
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.
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.
Why are we doing it?
So that:
People feel more connected and less isolated
Communities have regular opportunities to be creative
Local capacity, skills and social infrastructure are strengthened
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.
Community Arts Volunteers: Role description And How to Apply
Do you live in the West of England?
Want to feel more connected to your community and help it thrive?
Looking to build your CV, gain new skills, and get involved in exciting projects and events?
Join a welcoming, supportive community where you can grow your confidence, meet new people, and open the door to exciting opportunities.
Where you will be:
The Pilot Communities of the Impact Alliance: Stockwood, Charfield, the Somer Valley and the Mendip villages - as well as other locations across the West of England (Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Bath & North East Somerset).
When you will be there:
This is flexible depending on community activity and your availability (activities happen seven days a week and may include evenings).
Who you will be supporting:
Creative artists to engage with audiences and/or participants.
What you will be doing:
Provide a welcoming, friendly and enthusiastic point of contact for audiences and/or participants
Support community artist(s) as they provide creative, playful, inclusive and hands on activities. (this could be handing out materials, helping set up spaces etc)
Embody and demonstrate our values of collaboration, inclusion, excellence, resilience and kindness
This may be a good role for you if you:
Enjoy meeting new people and want to become part of a friendly, passionate and committed volunteer team as well as the wider All Together Now community
Enjoy engaging with a range of people to support them to be creative and playful
Are passionate about inclusivity in arts and the creative sector
Want to use your skills and/or gain experience in the community arts and creative sector
Would like to access interesting and exciting induction and training
We are looking for people who are:
Enthusiastic about building connections, and passionate about projects that bring together communities
Interested in working with community audiences
Team Players, adaptable to working well with other volunteers and All Together Now staff
Committed to our values and to following our policies and procedures
Reliable and committed
People who are aged 18+
All travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Do you think this is the role for you? See how to apply.
FAQs about volunteering
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Volunteering is a great way of trying out or learning something new, connecting with different people and feeling part of a creative or local community. Volunteering can build confidence and skills and boost your CV too! Most importantly, we believe it should be fun and flexible.
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We know true representation will have a positive impact on this project, not to mention in the wider creative and cultural sector. We welcome applications from people of all lived experiences and particularly those that are underrepresented.
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You need to be over 18 years of age.
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Absolutely not! We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to get involved creative activities - being interested in supporting diverse communities through this project is the most important thing.
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Please have a look at the volunteer role description and information above. This is a brand NEW project so we will be developing the volunteering role and programme together. It will be up to you to choose what you want to get involved with and how often. Ideally we are looking for volunteers to build long term connections in the All Together Now Impact Alliance pilot communities.
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No. This is because we provide different training for Volunteers and Trainees, as they have different roles within the team. However, that doesn’t mean that trainees cannot become volunteers after their placements or vice versa for volunteers.
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We want you to be able to follow your interests as a volunteer and support All Together Now in a way that fits around your life. You can sign up for different volunteer roles via our online ‘Volunteer Hub’ or via the ‘My Impact’ app where you will be able to see key information and choose from any upcoming opportunities.
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The wonderful thing about volunteering with All Together Now is that we keep our roles as flexible as possible. There’s sure to be something to suit you whether you are a student, retired or have caring responsibilities.
However, please be aware that bringing a volunteer on board requires resources from our charity, so if you are not sure if it could fit in with your life, get in touch with us for a chat.
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Yes – we accept applications at anytime and run regular Volunteer information sessions and inductions. When you join our volunteer hub, you will see upcoming dates.
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Yes – you should not be out of pocket when volunteering with us. We can pay towards reasonable travel expenses and most of the projects will provide food/refreshments for the team.
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For certain volunteer roles a DBS check will be required, which we are able to process for you. Please note a criminal record is not a barrier to volunteering with us. and be assured that your rights to confidentiality will be protected under GDPR (data protection). Please share any questions or concerns you may have with us.
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We encourage all of our artists that deliver All Together Now activities to consider accessibility. Access information for each placement will be available on the ‘Volunteer Hub’ and ‘Better Impact’ app.
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We would not want you to feel nervous or unprepared while you volunteer with us. All volunteers receive a general induction about All Together Now and your role, then depending on which community you work with; you will receive any briefing/training needed for that particular role by your Volunteer Key Contact. These are trained staff who are there to support you.
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Yes - To discuss any additional support, such as adjustments and access, please email us at atn.volunteer@bristolbeacon.org or call 07484 917056.
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Please get in touch at atn.volunteer@bristolbeacon.org or call 07484 917056.
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If you have any other questions or concerns please e-mail atn.volunteer@bristolbeacon.org or call 07484 917056. We would love to hear from you!
Become an All Together Now Volunteer
1. Click here to register your interest online (opens in new tab)
We know online forms can be challenging, so if you would like to discuss any additional support you may need to complete this process, please contact us.
2. Volunteer information session and One to One chat
After you have registered your interest, you will be invited to our next Volunteer Information session to meet staff and other potential volunteers, and to find out more about All Together Now. As part of this session, we will have a one-to-one informal chat with you. During this chat, you can let us know if there is any way we can support you to volunteer with us. For example, you may wish to observe/shadow, before deciding if this role is right for you. You are welcome to ask for a copy of what we will ask in your one-to-one.
3. Volunteer Welcome Day
You would then attend a Volunteer induction/welcome session with other volunteers and All Together Now project staff covering all you need to know to get started.
4. Online Training
You will be asked to complete some online training on topics such as Safeguarding.
If you have any questions or need any help at all with the application process, please get in touch: atn.volunteer@bristolbeacon.org
Trainees
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.
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
