Arts Engagement & Outreach: June 2026 News

Here’s a taste of what our Arts Engagement & Outreach team at The Octagon & Westlands have been busy working on this month…   

Our Arts Engagement & Outreach team develop and deliver programmes and activities that benefit health and wellbeing, enrich learning and education in and outside school, inspire and celebrate talent. Creating work that will support local artists and tell “local stories”. In everything we do and programme we will seek to improve inclusion and remove barriers, whatever they may be, so that everyone is able to enjoy and benefit from the creative arts. Our Arts Engagement & Outreach team look to provide more opportunities for our communities to watch, take part and benefit from arts and cultural activities where they live.  

This month saw our community light up the stage, with SHiNE, our annual community production, filling two joyful days with over 370 performers. The event buzzed with energy and celebration, showing just how powerful it is when people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds come together to create, support one another and share the stage. We also delivered specialist performing arts workshops in schools across Somerset, with more than 85 students gaining new skills and confidence in drama, dance and singing. Plus, we welcomed an intern from UWE who got involved on our Arts for Health and Wellbeing projects and saw first-hand the life changing impact creative movement has on participants’ wellbeing and connection. 

Read all about it and more below… 

Creative Learning & Education 

Access to high quality arts education in-school 

Our in-school Performing Arts Workshop offer aims to ensure young people in Somerset schools can access high quality arts education. The offer enables specialist facilitators to deliver free Drama, Dance and Singing workshops directly in school settings. These sessions give children an understanding of the role of the performer and valuable first-hand experience of practical performing arts classes. 

This month, 85 children from Weare Primary School, Ruishton Primary and Shepton Beauchamp Primary have taken part in Drama and Dance workshops, developing skills in direction, timing and ensemble performance. By bringing specialist arts provision directly into schools, we’re helping young people build confidence, discover new talents and access opportunities they may not otherwise experience. 

'Our children really enjoyed the workshop. It gave them an opportunity to engage with performing arts - something a lot of them had very little experience with. Super session!'  Teacher 

Talent Development 

Inspiring Future Creatives 

On Monday 15 June, we welcomed Khin, an intern from the University of the West of England (UWE), to experience two of our Arts for Health & Wellbeing projects: Parkinson’s Dance in Langport and Movement Through Cancer in Yeovil. By taking part in the sessions, Khin witnessed first-hand the transformative impact these projects have on participants’ physical health, emotional wellbeing and social connections. She saw how creative movement helps build confidence, reduces isolation and creates supportive communities for people living with long-term health conditions.  

Khin left feeling energised and inspired, commenting on the positive atmosphere and the incredible difference the projects make to people's lives. Supporting internships and welcoming students into our programmes not only provides important learning opportunities but also helps advocate for the growing importance of arts and health initiatives, ensuring the next generation of professionals understand the value and impact. 

‘I couldn't believe what brilliant projects these are. It was amazing to see the positive impact they have on participants, and I left feeling truly inspired.’ Khin, Intern (UWE) 

Arts for Health & Wellbeing 

Parkinson’s Dance continues to grow 

Our Parkinson’s Dance project continues to go from strength to strength, with 6 new members joining the group in recent weeks, meaning we now regularly welcome over 20 participants each week in Langport. Running successfully for 2 ½ years, the project is based on the Parkinson’s Dance science model and is led by experienced specialist practitioners. The sessions help participants improve mobility, balance, co-ordination and confidence in a fun, supportive and social environment. The continued growth of the group highlights the demand for accessible, evidence‑based and support‑led activities for people living with Parkinson’s and reflects the strong reputation the project has built locally. Participants regularly tell us they look forward to attending each week, valuing both the physical benefits and the friendships they have developed. It also shows how creative, movement‑based activity can play a meaningful role in improving wellbeing and strengthening social connection for those living with long‑term health conditions. 

‘I love coming every week. The sessions help keep me active, I've made new friends, and it's such a positive and welcoming group. I always leave feeling better than when I arrived.’ Participant 

Participation 

Championing Local Practitioners  

Three students from the Octagon Senior Street Dance Class have been working with Kelvin Kenny Ewarah a.k.a Kenzibaba 1, creating an exciting K‑Pop inspired routine to perform at Yeovil Together at the beginning of July. It has been a privilege supporting Kelvin, who is a passionate dance choreographer and instructor with 17 years of experience in training, performance and choreography. Known for blending creativity with technique, he has trained dancers of all ages and levels, from beginners discovering movement for the first time to professionals preparing for stage and competition. His mission is to inspire dancers to unlock their full potential while celebrating the joy of dance. Sessions have stretched the young dancers and given them an opportunity to learn different styles. Their commitment and creativity shows just how powerful these opportunities can be. Kelvin is looking to continue with his teaching at Westlands, with the view to creating his own dance crew locally. 

Productions & Events 

Creating space for everyone to SHiNE 

The annual SHiNE showcase brings people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds together for an evening of dance, music and theatre, with a real sense of joy. SHiNE is an opportunity for local community choir, dance and theatre groups to take to the stage and showcase their talent, with this year seeing over 370 performers represented from 27 groups across the two days. The production means just as much to the performers as it does to the audiences. Participants attending weekly classes for all sorts of reasons, from developing their skills and confidence to finding connection, routine and a sense of belonging. Some of the SHiNE participants never would have imagined themselves performing but have enjoyed the experience (and challenge) far more than they expected.  

This year we captured an image of our youngest participant, at just 2 months old – a member of our Mini and Me class, alongside our most senior performer, a vibrant 92‑year‑old member of the Octagon Choir. It’s a wonderful reminder that performing truly is for any age. 

'Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be a part of SHiNE 2026. We all thoroughly enjoyed watching and cheering on the other groups' performances, and the girls absolutely loved having the chance to perform on stage. The experience has clearly left a lasting impression on them, as they've all been asking when the next SHiNE show will be!'  Parent 

Celebrating belonging and diversity in Yeovil 

We have recently been working with Richard Tomlinson, a local filmmaker from Somerset, on the creation of a short film to celebrate Yeovil. The film project is part of Yeovil Together, Yeovil’s annual multi-cultural celebration event, and supported by Somerset Community Foundation, Abri, Magna and LiveWest. The film, aptly titled, ‘Yeovil: A Place Called Home’, is an intergenerational community film project exploring the theme of belonging for Yeovil’s communities. This project has provided an opportunity for residents of Yeovil to share their thoughts on what home means to them and what it means to belong to a community. Working with local filmmaker, Richard Tomlinson, the 4-day shoot saw us capturing stories at locations including: Birchfield Primary, Bucklers Mead Academy, Abri’s Chatty Chums and members of the Yeovil Together Steering Group. The film is due to premiere at this year’s Yeovil Together festival and will be to be screened following the event in Yeovil town centre, at Westlands Entertainment Venue, and online. The opportunity has captured a cross section of voices from Yeovil’s community, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, encouraged participants to reflect on what it means to belong here, and offered residents the opportunity to be part of something to celebrate Yeovil. 

' It has been wonderful to watch members of the community try something new, grow in confidence and tell their stories to a camera, and for many push themselves out of their comfort zone.'

Engaging and building relationships with local communities 

Our Arts Engagement & Outreach work is helping us build stronger connections with Somerset communities, and taking part in local events lets us meet people where they are and share creative opportunities in local community spaces. This month we were at The Mendip Family Fun Day, which welcomed around 200 attendees. Many families enjoyed our theatre themed activities and crafts, and we spent the day talking with attendees about our programmes, from workshops and participation opportunities to the SHiNE Bursary Fund, Octagon Buddies Scheme and Accessible Ticket Scheme. It was a lovely reminder of how creativity brings people together and strengthens community spirit. 

'It's great to see that there are so many things our children can get involved in and for free!' Parent 

To keep up to date with all the activities coming up head over to the What’s On section on our website or check out our Take Part page which will link you to all our projects and upcoming opportunities.