Support our community engagement programmes

Since 2007, Lightbox Gallery has been more than just a gallery—we're a vital community hub in the heart of Woking. For many residents, we provide their only opportunity to experience art and connect with others. Our community programmes have become an essential local resource, nationally recognised for their transformative impact.

With support services declining across Surrey, our programmes are more critical than ever. We need to generate at least £50,000 annually to meet our community's growing needs.

Our initiatives span a wide range of needs

Art in Mind: Art in Mind is a programme of monthly art workshops for people living with dementia and their companions or care givers. We are one of only two providers of arts-based activities for people outside of a care home environment in Woking.

Youth Art Projects: Our youth programmes focus on developing creative confidence during crucial formative years, providing alternative learning pathways for those who may struggle in traditional education settings. Through hands-on experience, young people learn practical skills while building self-expression. We create safe spaces for youth to process emotions and experiences, connecting them with mentors and like-minded peers who share their creative journey.

Accessible Workshops: We believe in making art accessible to everyone by adapting artistic experiences for people with visual impairments and providing specialised support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs. Our workshops create multi-sensory experiences that accommodate different learning styles, building inclusive communities through shared creative experiences. Participants develop motor skills and spatial awareness through carefully designed tactile art activities.

Adult Learning Programmes: Our adult programmes offer lifelong learning opportunities that go beyond creative skills. While teaching practical artistic techniques with real-world applications, these sessions create vital social connections for adults at risk of isolation. The therapeutic benefits of creative expression support mental wellbeing through meaningful engagement and shared experiences.

Why It Matters

For older adults & those living with dementia: Our programmes play a vital role in slowing cognitive decline through creative engagement while maintaining essential social connections that prevent isolation. We provide structured activities that create routine and purpose, offering crucial respite and support for carers. These sessions also create valuable opportunities for intergenerational connection, bridging age gaps through shared creative experiences.

For young people: Through our youth programmes, we help build confidence and self-expression skills that last a lifetime. Young participants develop problem-solving abilities through creative thinking and forge positive peer relationships in a supportive environment. We're proud to showcase alternative career pathways in creative industries while supporting emotional development and resilience during formative years.

For people with disabilities: We create inclusive spaces where creative expression knows no bounds. Our specialised programmes help develop fine motor skills through artistic activities while building confidence through achievement. Participants find social opportunities and community connection through our workshops, learning adaptive techniques for artistic engagement that they can use throughout their lives.

For mental health & wellbeing: Creative expression serves as a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety, while our programmes create supportive social networks that extend beyond the gallery walls. Participants find meaningful occupation and purpose through artistic practice, developing valuable coping strategies and building resilience and self-esteem in a supportive environment.

For community cohesion: Art has the unique power to bring diverse groups together through shared experiences, creating cross-cultural understanding and building intergenerational connections. Our programmes strengthen community identity by providing accessible cultural experiences for all, ensuring that everyone in Woking has the opportunity to engage with and benefit from the arts.

How your gift makes a difference

£25 provides art materials for one session

£150 funds an artist for one workshop

£500 could support a fully- funded month of Art in Mind

£1,000 helps us provide support for young people including our Youth Collective programme for a month