Swan Samba (Roynon Music)

We believe in breaking the mould. We’re here to challenge the mass-produced, the impersonal, and the disposable by championing independent makers, fostering creativity, and creating a real, local alternative to online and high-street retail. Our mission is to provide crafters with a space to sell their work without the barriers of traditional retail while ensuring customers can discover authentic, locally made goods and explore their own creativity through hands-on workshops. We curate a space where people can shop with confidence, knowing they are supporting real artisans and small businesses. We empower people of all ages and backgrounds to explore their creative potential, and offer a relaxed pressure-free shopping experience.

African Activities CIC offers the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of Black and African cultures through superb, creative artistic experiences. Our work disrupts preconceptions, creates community, drives excellence and breaks barriers. Rooted in pre-colonial traditions, our workshops include drumming, dance, storytelling, Adinkra, beadwork, and mask-making. Led by culturally grounded artists, we bring living heritage to life across schools, communities and festivals. Based in the New Forest, we are a leading Black-led organisation championing African arts across Hampshire and beyond.

ArtfulScribe is a literature development organisation and community interest company based in Southampton. Our mission is to pave the way for people of all backgrounds and ages to enrich their lives through written and spoken word, to amplify new voices, and to use words to strengthen communities. We support emerging and continuing writers in Hampshire, Dorset, and the Solent region to create new work and develop skills through writing workshops, live events and career-development opportunities. We provide free or low cost creative writing sessions for children, young people and adults; writing for well being sessions; and other creative programmes and live events that celebrate the written and spoken word.