We did it! Our long awaited Community Festival was an absolute success! Originally planned for 2020 and cancelled due to the pandemic, we have been steadily rebuilding and planning until September 30th 2023 when we officially launched this incredible event.
Our community has told us in many consultation events over the years that lack of community spirit, purpose and support is the reason for such high levels of poor mental health. People have been feeling unheard, isolated, angry and without hope, especially in light of the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
We have always been passionate about supporting people from 'surviving to thriving' and have been planning to put on a Community Festival for many years now, so the increasing need in our area really spurned us on to co-create something truly amazing this year.
Thanks to Arts Council of Wales, National Lottery Community Fund and Peoples Post Code Lottery we have been able to deliver some fantastic sessions this year, focussed around The Arts in all of its forms as a vehicle for storytelling, self expression and trauma recovery.
We have been running jamming, songwriting, choir and movement sessions as well as drop in crafter noon teas, mens mental health sessions and of course our Youth Tribe.
Together we created the most amazing space, hosted by our wonderful friends Vanessa and Karl at Halkyn Castle Wood.
From our main stage acts to our acoustic stage, and from axe throwing and bushcraft skills to vision boarding, sound baths and yoga in our wellbeing bell tent - there was something for everyone.
We had some amazing speakers, practitioners and artists with us, along with some awesome special guests including the Bubble Fairy and a real Welsh Dragon in the woods!
In true British fashion the weather did not do us any favours - in fact it poured down all day long! We didn't let that put us off in the slightest, after all.......the show must go on!
Take a look at our mini documentary below and keep your eyes peeled for details of the release of our 2024 tickets.