A LOCAL arts charity has praised a growing appreciation for the "profound power of creativity" in bringing people together, having secured £180,000 to deliver a range of activities and events for the district.

Wyldwood Arts, which is based in Cinderford, has been awarded the funding through The National Lottery’s (TNL) Community Foundation to deliver a project designed to explore "new, creative approaches to connecting communities".

The charity says the funding, which was awarded through TNL’s Reaching Communities England scheme, will enable them to support communities in planning activities and events that "address local needs and encourage social cohesion".

Wyldwood, which was established in 2014, delivers projects for the Forest and surrounding areas which involve a range of subjects, from theatre, music and dance to film, visual art and poetry.

Through working with community groups, care homes and schools, the charity aims to "bring people of all ages together through kindness, creativity, and play".

They will now work closely with a variety of partners over the next three years, including the Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF), to establish links and encourage collaboration between arts and community organisations in the local area.

Co-founder and Strategy and Development Producer of Wyldwood Arts, George Densley, said: "This significant investment by The National Lottery Community Foundation is testament to a growing appreciation for the profound power of creativity in bringing people together.

"Here at Wyldwood Arts, we have long worked at the intersection between the arts world and the voluntary and community sector, and we have seen first-hand how people of all ages can benefit from the opportunity to express themselves creatively.

"This is more pertinent than ever in a post-Covid landscape of increased isolation and reduced social connection, so we are excited to now be able to explore the potential of putting creative power directly into the hands of the communities that will benefit the most."

CEO of FVAF, Chris Brown, added: "FVAF are delighted to be a partner in what is such an exciting project.

"We look forward to working with Wyldwood Arts and other dynamic and passionate groups and organisations to explore new, creative approaches to community development in the Forest of Dean."