Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the Upper Norwood Library Hub worked with Tony Cealy, theatre practitioner and cultural producer and Asma Istwani, visual artist and illustrator alongside Chloe Bowman, Lola Oteh and Jackie Rogers and local volunteers to research and visualise positive changes communities want locally, across the themes of Equity, Environment and Wellbeing. Youth Sound Engineer and Photographer Isaiah Royal interviewed and photographed participants across the project to explore how people felt about trying new things and being creative people. 

Between December 2024 and April 2025, the creative team worked in partnership with local children, families and adults to explore and visualise positive changes they want locally across the themes of environment, wellbeing and equity. Local partners included Ashdon Jazz Academy and ClearCommunityWeb.  Through a series of workshops designed to empower, build confidence and bring community members together, 79 local people creatively explored their ideas with Tony and Chloe and built new creative illustration and collage skills with Asma, Lola and Jackie. 

The final creative work is a mix of photographic records from the sessions, recorded interviews, people’s collages, drawings, sculptures, manifestos and paintings exploring their chosen themes. The final images have been produced by professional Artist Asma Istwani, inspired by the work created by the groups and their interactions across the project.