AN INTERVIEW WITH FUNDER JOHN LYON’S CHARITY
“We knew the projects would work because they’re being delivered by a trusted organisation.”
John Lyon’s Charity (JLC) is a grantmaker transforming the lives of children and young people by creating opportunities to learn, grow and thrive through education. Since 2013, Create has been proud to partner with JLC to deliver high-quality creative projects across London.
Through this long-standing collaboration, we have launched major programmes such as changing:minds, community:matters and inspired:arts, reaching disabled young people, young carers, care leavers and refugees in JLC’s priority boroughs. We spoke to Anna Hoddinott, Senior Grants and Communications Manager at John Lyon’s Charity, about the impact of our partnership – and why creativity matters more than ever.
SHARED VALUES, CREATIVE VISION
“There’s a lot of synergy between JLC’s values and those of Create. Create strives to evolve constantly, develop and hone its offerings. We see the value in Create’s approach and methodology: projects cross a multitude of different artforms and can be adapted to various audiences with various needs.
“Create has a passion for interrogating its work and striving to be the best that it can be, combining diverse artforms, passion, drive, high-quality practitioners and rigorous evaluation all in one place. If a funder wants to fund really high-quality projects, then Create gives a lot of options.”
building new programmes with trust at the core
Create’s long relationship with JLC has led to the co-design of key programmes including changing:minds, which embeds creativity and financial literacy, and community:matters, which brings creative workshops to young people in vulnerable circumstances. For JLC, that level of collaboration is based on deep trust.
“We have known Create for a considerable amount of time, which has enabled us as funders to believe in its ability to have the right impact and outcomes.
Create’s openness and flexibility to develop programmes targeting priority groups and locations for JLC made the charity an ideal partner.
Anna Hoddinott, Senior Grants and Communications Manager at John Lyon’s Charity
“This flexibility put Create in a really strong position to secure funding for new projects: we knew the projects would work because they’re being delivered by a trusted organisation.”
CREATING LONG-TERM IMPACT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief that creativity should be participant-led, empowering children and young people to shape their own experiences. As Anna explains:
“The positive impact starts from the beginning. Participants can choose the artform that most resonates with them, giving them agency over their experience. This element of co-creation is really empowering and gives a greater impact because participants know that they are taking part in something that they have chosen to do.
“It’s really important that the participants are not delivered to, but delivered with. That really comes across with the work that Create does; participants are encouraged to find their own way through projects, while being supported to engage as much as they are able.
“The projects I have visited are always really engaging for the participants. All of the young people seem to be really enthusiastic.
“On the whole, the impact on participants is huge. And not just in the moment, but also long after the end of the project, instilling confidence, a sense of wellbeing and all the positivity that engaging in arts projects can bring.”
Why CREATIVITY MATTERS
Like Create, JLC recognises that creativity plays a fundamental role in education, emotional health and society at large – especially at a time when access to the arts is under threat.
“Creativity is fundamentally important for everybody. I think it’s important that creative arts are included in school curriculums, but they are so often overlooked in favour of more academic subjects.
“Having access to creativity and cultural capital can boost everybody’s mental wellbeing, helping people thrive emotionally, professionally, and in relationships.
Creativity gives a mirror to see yourself reflected and a window to view the world through different perspectives.
Anna Hoddinott, Senior Grants and Communications Manager at John Lyon’s Charity
“Being able to access creativity leads to a really well-rounded society with really healthy and grounded people within it.”
A MESSAGE TO FUTURE FUNDERS
When asked what she would say to other funders considering supporting Create, Anna’s answer was simple:
“Do it! It’s difficult to find organisations that deliver such a range of activities, specialising in working with so many different participant groups, with such quality.
“Create gives funders the confidence that their support will be used thoughtfully, rigorously and with great impact. You’d be supporting work that truly changes lives.”
A huge thank you to John Lyon’s Charity for funding changing:minds, community:matters and inspired:arts.
