Arts Engagement & Outreach: March 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.   

In March we celebrated another sold-out dementia-friendly Cake Concert brought to Yeovil by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for the fourth-year running, where an audience of 100 enjoyed live classical music performed by a The Teatime Trio - an ensemble of flute, harp and cello - over a cuppa tea and cake. Alongside this, we delivered vibrant dance, drama and singing workshops for primary and secondary schools across Somerset, bringing creative experiences directly into classrooms. Plus watched as over 300 people from 9 primary, secondary and community choirs took to the stage to perform as part of our community production A Festival of Song 2026, filling the venue with community spirit and uplifting performances. 

Read all about it and more below… 

Participation 

Sport England grant supports disabled people to continue dancing  

We are thrilled to have been awarded funding from Sport England to extend our Inclusive Dance project year-round, with sessions running throughout the year and into the holidays rather than just during term time. These uplifting contemporary dance sessions are designed for disabled adults and their support workers, carers and family.  The Inclusive Dance project champions inclusion, wellbeing, self-expression and physical activity, supporting disabled people to be and stay active in a safe welcoming environment. The project is supported by local day services and charitable organisations working with disabled adults, who expressed an appetite to grow and expand the current project to deliver a year-round programme of sessions to encourage disabled adults to maintain activity levels, fitness and wellbeing. Every session is fully accessible and centred on self expression, with participants guided through contemporary dance exercises and practices, led by a brilliant team of professional creatives. This expansion is more than just extra sessions; it’s about consistent opportunities for wellbeing, creativity and social connection for people who often face barriers to regular activities. More workshops mean more opportunities to move, to belong, and to feel supported all year round. 

Creative Learning & Education 

Inspiring over 300 young people through music 

Since November, the BSO team have been gathering ideas from over 300 of Somerset’s fantastic KS1 students to help compose an original song inspired by the theme Dusk ’til Dawn. Across our 6 partner primary schools, more than 300 students took part in their second workshop, learning the newly composed song as taught and accompanied by BSO’s musicians. The excitement was palpable as pupils heard their words and suggestions transformed into a piece of music, plus they discovered two new orchestral instruments along the way. They also developed their Makaton skills to accompany the piece and are now gearing up to perform the new song at our BSO KS1 Concert on 30 April; giving pupils a brilliant opportunity to step into the spotlight and share their creativity through performance. 

‘Our class wrote those words in the song - it sounds really good!’  Year 1 student 

Reducing barriers for young people to access the arts 

Our Performing Arts Workshops have continued to flourish, with 25 schools across Somerset signing up. This has enabled more than 500 young people to experience specialist workshops in Dance, Drama or Singing — opportunities they may not otherwise have within their school. These sessions not only support teachers by reducing planning and workload, but also support students grow in confidence, develop new skills and discover the joy of performing. Feedback has been outstanding, with teachers reporting improved performance skills and a more positive attitude towards the performing arts. 

'It was brilliant, an inspiration to my students, and helped students of all levels and abilities develop their skills. The students were so grateful for the opportunity to have fun and learn new skills' Teacher 

Upskilling teachers in Shakespeare 

We were delighted to welcome the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to lead a dynamic CPD teacher training workshop. The practical activities shared were exceptional, offering tangible ways to engage learners, build understanding and make Shakespeare accessible for all. Teachers from across 5 secondary schools attended, leaving teachers feeling more confident in tackling complex language and classical texts, and armed with new techniques ready to bring into their classrooms and enrich students’ experience of Shakespeare. This collaboration marks an exciting step in strengthening Shakespeare education in our region, ensuring every young person can meet Shakespeare with confidence and curiosity. 

'An amazing opportunity. I feel more equipped with techniques and activities to use in the classroom' Teacher 

Arts for Health & Wellbeing 

New Mums’ find moments of calm at our Time Together project 

The Octagon and Westlands, in partnership with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and The Balsam Centre, are delivering Time Together in Wincanton—an uplifting sensory and creative music project specially designed for parents experiencing low mood following the birth of their child. Over the past 8 weeks, 10 mums and their babies (0–12 months) have taken part in this nurturing programme, enjoying highquality musicmaking in a safe and supportive environment. BSO musicians have guided families through gentle music activities, accessible singing and bonding exercises that encourage relaxation, confidence and connection. The impact has been felt by both mums and babies alike, with sessions filled with smiles, laughter, and moments of calm amid the challenges of early parenthood. These magical sessions continue to demonstrate the powerful role that creativity, music, and community support can play in helping new mum’s health & wellbeing to flourish during the early months of their child’s life. 

‘I feel like I am in a happy bubble when I am here. I can forget everything else and all is calm. A breath of fresh air, I can relax.’  Participant 

BSO’s dementia-friendly Cake Concert sells out for 4th year running  

In partnership with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), we hosted another sold out dementia friendly Cake Concert on 20 March, welcoming an audience of 100 people living with dementia and their carers. The audience enjoyed live classical music from a talented BSO trio, alongside a comforting hot drink and slice of cake. Music can have a transformative effect on people living with dementia, often sparking reminiscence, encouraging communication, and boosting overall wellbeing. This relaxed concert offered a gentle, welcoming space for audiences to connect, unwind, and share meaningful moments with loved ones. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, smiles, and musical delight, and the event also raised a wonderful £80 for the Alzheimer’s Society. 

‘It’s rare to find something we can both enjoy without stress. Thank you.’ Carer 

‘Hearing the musicians so close was beautiful. It’s made my day brighter.’ Person Living With Dementia 

Productions & Events  

Giving the local community a chance to shine 

Westlands Entertainment Venue proudly welcomed back our annual community production, A Festival of Song, bringing together choirs and singing groups from across the county for an uplifting evening of music and celebration. Over 300 performers took to the stage with performances from: The Octagon Choir, St Margaret's CEVA Primary School, Blackdown Acapella, Octagon Junior Choir, Crispin School, Somerset and Dorset Rock Choir, Kingfisher Primary School, Somer Singers and Castaways Theatre Group. The production offers singers of all ages a rare opportunity to step onto a professional stage and share their voices with a supportive audience. For some, it may be their very first time performing live, making the experience even more meaningful. It’s a joyful platform for local talent to shine, grow in confidence and feel part of something bigger. It was a fantastic evening full of community spirit, creativity and heartfelt performances that lit up the room. 

Supporting Our Community to thrive  

We were thrilled to be part of the Chard Together celebration — a joyful event showcasing Chard’s diversity and community spirit. The Guildhall was alive with colour and energy throughout the day, with traditional music, dance, crafts and food creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everyone who came along. Hundreds of residents joined the festivities, and our creative postcardmaking workshop proved especially popular, giving people of all ages the chance to design their own snapshot of Chard. Alongside the cultural activities, a wide range of local organisations were there to share the brilliant opportunities, services and support available within the community. We had many meaningful conversations about what we offer too, from our participation programme and SHiNE Bursary Fund to the Octagon Buddies Scheme and our Accessible Ticket Scheme. 

'The work you are doing for the community is fantastic' Community Member  

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 Participate page which will link you to all our projects and upcoming opportunities.