The Europe Challenge

The Local Challenge

The challenge is tackling social isolation and improving well-being in a town where one in ten people identify as lonely. Loneliness and self-harming are both particularly rife among young people. Like many other library spaces, St Helens has seen declining numbers of library users, as well as imminent library closures. They are keen to work with the local community to refresh their offer with diverse arts and cultural programmes to attract a broader audience to remaining libraries – bringing in people who would not necessarily see the library as a space for them. 

The Initiative  

This initiative helps to address the need to provide more welcoming opportunities and safe spaces where art can be enjoyed and created. Community cultural activators activate and advocate for library spaces through workshops, performances and programming that drive forward this vision. Beginning with facilitated workshops, discussions and learning exchanges, this initiative explores ways of reducing social isolation and increasing well-being through art. After this exploratory phase, the group then starts to curate exhibitions, performances and open-mic nights in one or two locations to help engage the community and develop interest. Successful models are then expanded to other libraries. 

After The Europe Challenge

The future focus is working to integrate residents into library spaces through creativity and co-programming. They have managed to increase community pride and ownership and have re-defined the libraries as a safe creativity and knowledge hub. Following the Challenge, their community responded that they felt 100% better and less lonely having experienced the library’s activities. Their “Potato Festival” concept has been ‘borrowed’ by a library in Dublin and they have received interest in being financially supported, to continue their work. Now, they are recognised as an example of good practice and have been invited to attend European events to highlight their work.  

Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.