Our Impact

Funded by Maidstone Borough Council’s Creative Communities Grant (October 2024–October 2025), Creative Connections delivered 15 themed workshops combining digital fabrication with lino printing, layered artwork and illuminated design. Thirty-two people took part. The results reported for this project were: 100% learned a new skill, 81% reported improved wellbeing, 78% increased confidence and 68% made new social connections.

Funded by Kent Community Foundation (June 2025–June 2026), Digital Access & Inclusion provided laptops, displays and digital tools across 10 workshops for 15 participants. Twenty-seven per cent had no suitable computer and a further 7% had only occasional access. Shared equipment made full participation easier for 93%, while 47% said they could not have taken part without it.

Participants in Digital Access & Inclusion developed transferable skills in laser cutting (14 people), digital design and CAD (12), problem-solving (9) and teamwork or collaboration (7). Eighty-seven per cent felt more confident using digital tools and software, and 80% were inspired to continue learning or develop creative projects.

Across Creative Connections and Digital Access & Inclusion, several participants went on to explore Hackspace membership so they could keep developing their skills, and one began building a small craft enterprise using techniques learned through the programmes. The projects also strengthened partnerships across Maidstone Community Support Centre and showed that digital fabrication can be inclusive, affordable and community-led.