Planting Possibility: From Ideas to Action at New Place will keep New Place open for 12 months as an affordable, inclusive creative hub in Chester. New Place offers a safe, welcoming physical space where young people and working-class creatives — including disabled artists and LGBTQIA+ communities — can access free and low-cost creative opportunities. Many people are excluded from creative careers and self-employment due to cost, lack of connections, or confidence. This project will support rehearsal space, acting and voice classes, creative writing, music production, and a small podcast recording studio. These low-cost activities help people build confidence, develop skills, test ideas, and explore realistic pathways into creative work and self-employment without taking risks they can’t afford. Led by The Boaty Theatre Company, a community-driven creative charity, the project will be delivered through regular sessions, open access opportunities, and peer support.

What we'll deliver:

• Keep New Place open and accessible as a community creative hub for 12 months
• Provide 150+ hours of free or low-cost rehearsal and creative workspace
• Deliver affordable acting, voice, writing, and music production sessions
• Maintain a small podcast recording setup for community use
• Offer monthly open-access studio time for collaboration and idea testing
• Provide free or subsidised places for people on low incomes
• Support at least 60 local participants to develop creative skills and confidence
• Ensure inclusive access for disabled and LGBTQIA+ creatives
• Protect an affordable creative space for the local Chester community

Why it's a great idea:

Planting Possibility will benefit the local area by keeping New Place open as a safe, affordable, creative hub for 12 months. New Place is a welcoming community space that supports creativity, connection, and neighbourhood pride, while protecting access to low-cost creative opportunities in Chester. The space will be used by young people, working-class creatives, disabled artists, and LGBTQIA+ community members who face barriers to creative careers and self-employment. People will access rehearsal space, acting and voice classes, creative writing, music production, and podcast recording, all free or very low cost. Creative spaces are often unaffordable or inaccessible for people without financial safety nets or professional networks. By helping people build confidence, skills, and realistic, creative pathways, the project supports a fairer local economy and more resilient communities. Protecting New Place means protecting a resource that helps people help themselves.

Steps to get it done:

• Months 1–2: Funding secured, New Place confirmed open, programme schedule finalised.
• Months 3–4: Regular low-cost creative sessions and open-access studio time underway.
• Months 5–8: Ongoing delivery with steady participation from local creatives and young people.
• Months 9–10: Continued sessions, peer support, and opportunities for participants to test ideas.
• Months 11–12: Project review, community feedback gathered, and next steps planned.