Daisy Arts is an artist-led, community-rooted Community Interest Company delivering creative opportunities for people of all ages and abilities across Bishop Auckland and the wider County Durham area. Through art, creative writing, theatre, music, film and other creative practices, we use creativity as a tool for self-expression, learning, personal development and improved wellbeing, while building connections between individuals and communities. Our work brings people together through regular creative groups, participatory arts projects, exhibitions, performances, festivals and collaborative community initiatives. We create welcoming and inclusive spaces where people can explore their creativity, develop new skills, share experiences and stories, build confidence and friendships, and feel a greater sense of belonging. We recognise that participation in the arts can have an impact beyond the creative activity itself, supporting social connection, reducing isolation and contributing to healthier, more connected communities. A significant part of our work is creating shared cultural experiences that bring people together and celebrate local identity. In February 2026, Daisy Arts delivered IGNITE, our family-friendly winter light and cultural festival in Bishop Auckland. Bringing together artists, schools, community groups and local partners, IGNITE transformed familiar spaces through creative installations, projections, storytelling, light and a community parade. The festival attracted more than 2,500 visitors, with over 400 schoolchildren engaging in activity ahead of the event. IGNITE demonstrated the power of creativity to animate public spaces, encourage participation, celebrate place and create memorable experiences for local families and visitors. Daisy Arts works with a network of experienced freelance artists, creatives and cultural practitioners, drawing on a broad range of skills and disciplines to deliver high-quality, meaningful and accessible experiences. By investing in professional artists and collaborating with local talent, we support the creative workforce while bringing diverse artistic experiences into the heart of our communities. We are based in an area of County Durham experiencing significant socioeconomic challenges, including poverty, unemployment and social deprivation across both urban and rural communities. Our work is shaped by an understanding of these local circumstances and a commitment to making arts and culture accessible to people who may otherwise face barriers to participation. Inclusion, community voice and responding to local needs remain central to our approach. Throughout 2026, we have continued to work collaboratively with schools, community groups, local authorities, health and wellbeing services, cultural organisations and other partners to develop projects that reflect local interests, experiences and aspirations. Alongside our ongoing creative programmes, we have supported opportunities for children, young people and adults to develop their skills, explore new ideas, share their stories and contribute to the cultural life of their communities. Our work also recognises the value of creativity in supporting wellbeing, strengthening relationships and helping people feel connected to the places where they live. Some initiatives are developed and led by Daisy Arts with support from funders and partners, while others emerge through collaboration and community-led ideas. This flexible approach enables us to respond to local needs, build meaningful partnerships and create opportunities for people to shape the creative activities and cultural experiences taking place within their communities. At the heart of Daisy Arts is the belief that creativity belongs to everyone. Our purpose is not simply to provide arts activities, but to create opportunities for people to connect, contribute, feel valued and shape the places in which they live. Through our work, we aim to strengthen individual wellbeing, nurture creativity, support professional artists and help build more inclusive, resilient and connected communities.

Daisy Arts recognises that meaningful consultation and collaboration are essential to delivering creative work that is relevant, inclusive and responsive to community needs. Our stakeholders include participants across our programmes, families, schools, community organisations, health and wellbeing services, commissioning bodies, funders, our Board of Directors, freelance artists and creative practitioners, young people and community members. Consultation is embedded in our day-to-day practice and takes place through ongoing conversations, creative activities, project planning, shared reflection and evaluation. We value the experiences, ideas and perspectives of the people who take part in our work and those who support its delivery. Their feedback helps us understand what matters to local people, identify barriers to participation and develop opportunities that reflect the interests, aspirations and needs of our communities. Throughout 2026, collaboration has continued to inform both our ongoing programmes and our wider cultural projects. Our regular art, theatre and wellbeing groups provide opportunities to listen to participants, review their experiences and adapt activities to meet changing interests and needs. Partnerships with schools, community organisations, artists and health and wellbeing services also enable us to share knowledge, identify opportunities and develop creative responses to local priorities. Projects such as IGNITE demonstrate the importance of working collectively, bringing together artists, schools, community groups and local partners to create shared cultural experiences shaped by the character and identity of Bishop Auckland and villages and towns in our surrounding areas. Our approach recognises that consultation is an ongoing process rather than a single exercise. Feedback and reflection inform the development of existing activities, the planning of future programmes and the preparation of funding applications. Where appropriate, we use participant feedback, partner discussions, attendance information and project evaluations to evidence the need for our work, understand its impact and identify opportunities for improvement. Our Board of Directors meets regularly to review organisational priorities, delivery, partnerships and future development, ensuring that community needs and stakeholder perspectives contribute to strategic decision-making. Our freelance artists and associate practitioners bring specialist knowledge, experience and new ideas, strengthening the quality and diversity of our offer. We also value the voices of children and young people, creating opportunities for them to contribute ideas, exercise creative choice and influence the projects in which they participate. Through these relationships, Daisy Arts continues to develop a collaborative and reflective approach to its work. We aim not only to consult with our stakeholders but to create opportunities for them to actively contribute to shaping our programmes, strengthening local partnerships and influencing the cultural life of their communities.

Included in artists' payments and subcontractor costs are the following payments to directors: E J Crawford £19,990; D Belshaw £23,053

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration