The National Forest has been awarded a £74,000 Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant to deliver a series of innovative cultural projects in Coalville and Burton during 2025.

These projects are designed to celebrate the connection between urban communities, creativity, and nature.

The programme brings together a diverse group of partners, including Coalville CAN, Enrych, Burton Women's Collective, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton Library, Staffordshire County Council and North West Leicestershire District Council, to create four dynamic projects.

These initiatives will celebrate the importance of green spaces within urban areas, support communities to explore the natural world, and unlock the benefits that arts and creativity bring to health, wellbeing, and a sense of place.

The Four Projects are:

Of Dolls & Trees

Artist Alistair Gentry will undertake a series of mini residencies in Coalville, culminating in three micro-festivals.

These pop-up events will feature slow micro-paralympic activities, forest bathing, and locally inspired games and attractions such as a cosplay unconvention, celebrating the national influence of the Coalville-founded toy manufacturers Palitoy.

Activity will centre disabled and underserved communities, whilst drawing upon Coalville's rich history and connection to nature.

Curbarium

Led by artists Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys of INSTAR, this project will celebrate the beauty of urban street flora.

Through workshops in Coalville, young people will create printmaking and written works that will become part of a curbside street trail showcasing the resilience of natural ecosystems within urban environments.

The National Forest's new initiative is about much more than art or nature alone—it's about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to benefit from both.

Access to woods, trees, and green spaces is vital, yet not everyone can enjoy these natural resources equally.

This programme aims to change that, breaking down barriers and inviting new audiences to experience the outdoors in creative and meaningful ways.

Earth Narratives

Award-winning poet Hafsah Aneela Bashir will collaborate with Burton Women's Collective to explore Burton's green spaces through walking and writing.

These workshops will combine the natural world, faith, and language, resulting in text-based works created by the women, presented across Burton.

Gulsoom Aslam, co-founder of Burton Women's Collective, said: "This project presents a wonderful chance to engage creatively while connecting with nature and the arts, inviting participation from communities that often feel excluded. By exploring their stories, the project will empower women to share genuine experiences rooted in their connection to green spaces and the outdoors."

TREES

Things That Go On Things will bring their unique approach to animating public spaces to Burton and East Staffordshire.

Through workshops and performances children and families will learn about the lessons of connection and empathy taught by trees, culminating in a live show combining storytelling and puppetry.

The National Forest's new initiative is about much more than art or nature alone—it's about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to benefit from both.

Jo Maker, arts and creativity manager, National Forest said: "This funding is a crucial step in implementing our Arts and Creativity Strategy, helping us to engage communities with the natural world in new and meaningful ways.

"Arts and creativity bring transformative benefits to individuals and communities, and we're thrilled to be able to extend these opportunities to the people of Burton, Coalville, and beyond."

The National Forest adds that arts and nature are a powerful combination.

Studies have shown that creative activities in natural environments can boost confidence, self-esteem, and mental wellbeing.

The World Health Organization highlights how the arts can prevent and help manage mental health issues, support physical health, and foster deeper connections between people and their surroundings.

Peter Knott, Midlands area director at Arts Council England said: "Both creativity and nature have the power to enrich lives, improve wellbeing and make us feel happier.

"We're proud to support this project, which will support a broad range of voices and perspectives, using money from the National Lottery.

"Featuring puppetry, poetry, printmaking and creative workshops, it will help people to connect with nature and with each other, strengthening community bonds and inspiring us to learn more about the world around us." 

This programme also aims to bring communities and creativity together in a unique way.

By working with artists, cultural organisations, and local groups, the programme will co-create innovative projects that engage and inspire.

The result is designed to be a bold, inclusive approach to connecting people with the National Forest — a place where creativity flourishes and everyone can feel a sense of belonging.