Document Category: Arts, Culture and Heritage

The Somerset Council Plan 2023–2027 sets out the vision for building a fairer, greener, healthier and more resilient Somerset. It focuses on four priority areas: tackling the climate and ecological emergencies; improving health and wellbeing; reducing inequalities; and strengthening Somerset’s economy and communities. The plan emphasises prevention, community involvement, partnership working, improving access to services, supporting education and skills, enabling sustainable growth, protecting vulnerable residents, and promoting cultural, economic and environmental resilience. It also highlights the role of Local Community Networks, sustainable transport, green technologies, inclusive services, decent housing, and supporting local jobs and opportunities.

Annual report covering 2024-25. Includes strategy, details of “Wilder Somerset 2030” and the steps being taken to develop and thrive in inclusion, income generation, being an authentic voice and leading change.
Somerset Wildlife Trust report on their goals, outlining the steps taken towards them and also what they plan to do next. Includes “A movement for nature”, volunteer development, and community engagement across Somerset’s landscapes.

The Somerset profile from the Annual Museum Survey. This data is from 2020 and provides snapshot metrics of Somerset museums (visits, income, staffing, volunteers); baseline context for local heritage planning.

Up-to-date interactive reports can be found on the Museum Development website

The Museum Development programme supports museums in the South West. Page 24 details the context of support provided to the Somerset museum landscape. There are useful examples of work that has happened elsewhere in the region, statistics from the Annual Museum Survey and detail of how equality, diversity and inclusion work has been supported.

Annual review of the 2023-24 year for the Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue. The closure of the Octagon occured during this time and there is detail of the wider community engagement work that occured. Including but not limited to Yeovil Literary Festival, leading the Music Hub and the growth of the Arts Engagement & Outreach programme. Work areas included children and young people, art for health and wellbeing and supporting education with opportunities for pupils and training for teachers.

Year‑in‑review of performances, screenings and participation; includes in‑house pantomime production and engagement outcomes. Details community events such as playdays and projects that have been run for health and wellbeing, access and inclusion and the environment.

Details co-created approaches in Taunton, Somerset, showing how arts-led and green-space activities build community capacity and shape inclusive places. It offers practical steps, templates and evidence to support arts, culture & heritage. A partnership between Somerset Art Works and North Taunton One Team.

Details co-created approaches in Somerset, showing how arts-led and green-space activities build community capacity and shape inclusive places. It offers practical steps, templates and evidence to support arts, culture & heritage with links to community spaces and places.

Taunton Brewhouse Annual Review 2024 showcases arts, culture & heritage delivering social impact across Somerset – strengthening participation, wellbeing and inclusion. Programmes for older people and youth theatre, partnerships and access initiatives connect audiences, nurture skills and build community cohesion; children & young people; mental health and wellbeing; equality & diversity. Useful evidence for VCSEs planning creative engagement and place-based activity.

Taunton Brewhouse Annual Review 2023 showcases arts, culture & heritage delivering social impact across Somerset- strengthening participation, wellbeing and inclusion. Programmes for older people and youth theatre, partnerships and access initiatives connect audiences, nurture skills and build community cohesion; children & young people; mental health and wellbeing; equality & diversity. Useful evidence for VCSEs planning creative engagement and place-based activity.

The Labour Party National Youth Strategy, which outlines the actions the government are committing to over the next 10 years to secrure the future that young people have told them that they want

Despite the impact of Covid-19, YAS has delivered a wide range of creative opportunities for communities in Yeovil in partnership with organisations, businesses and artists. YAS reaches more than 5000 people through its activities.