Autumn Term Round Up!

This term we’ve been exceptionally busy running workshops across Coventry, online, and with our regular drama groups and Creative Café. It’s been brilliant to share a little of Underground Lights’ magic with new attendees and audience members.

Wes and Johnnie ran a gorgeous songmaking workshop as part of Coventry Peace Festival which was greatly enjoyed by all attendees. Members have enjoyed several trips this term including to the dress rehearsal of the Belgrade’s pantomime, oh yes we did! We also enjoyed watching ‘Navigating Margaret’ by Arts Uplift. And running workshops with the Recovery & Wellbeing Academy including a shadow puppet workshop. Artwork Underground Lights members made during the Covid Lockdown featured in a recent exhibition by ‘Outside In’.

We were also thrilled to have been named a finalist for the 2025 Community Inspiration Award: Bringing People Together! This award celebrates individuals and groups who strengthen community cohesion by uniting people from diverse backgrounds and cultures – a thread that runs through all our creative and community efforts at Underground Lights.

Liz ran six brilliant workshops at the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre in partnership with their therapist team. These workshops were varied and dynamic and feedback was lovely. Thanks UL trustee Benita, and Vitalina and everyone at CRMC for their support. Made possibly by the Swan Mountain Trust.

Hayley and Emily ran six equally brilliant outreach workshops across the city, including at Harnall Lifehouse, St Basil’s with young adults, Out in Cov with LGBTQ+ refugee and asylum seekers, Chat Central, and Mind. The different groups then came together at our regular venue for six more workshops experiencing a relaxed version of our Creative Café workshops. Thanks to the Coventry Building Society for funding a year long project with us of which this was term one.

Our Creative Café members worked well together to create an Open Mic which was really wonderful. Thanks to facilitators Jenny and Wes, volunteers Thomas and Emma, visiting facilitator Cory, Katie, and lighting magician Benita! And to Coventry Central Hall for their continued support. It’s been especially exciting to see one of our members start to take a lead on lighting for this! Thank you to the Grocer’s Hall Trust for funding this project.

We’ve been excited to receive Arts Council funding to member development as a part of our 3-part strategy leading to our Member-Led Festival. We aim to secure more funding to help create this festival but for this year we are focusing on development and performance skills.

Our Drama Group members devised new characters and scenes taking inspiration from Bake Off! and Pirates! A theme that continues to come up in workshops is ‘Lost’ and we’re keen to explore this further and what this means for our members. We are grateful to the Belgrade Theatre for their continued vital support – performing in the new Jag space was a real highlight for our drama members this year!

Get Involved – If you’ve not been yet make it your new year’s resolution!

Or get involved in one of our workshops and have some fun!