Established in 2018, Culture Bridge CIC is a community group that brings cultures together and works towards educating the public through creativity. Since their inception, they’ve run multiple art and culture workshops including Refugee Connect, Women Art and Culture and Children Art & Culture. Most of their volunteers are made up of migrant and refugee artists and musicians from Iran, Iraq and Kurdistan.

In 2023, the SKylight Community Fund awarded the group £2,000 to deliver 10 multicultural ‘Create and Connect’ workshops, for and by financially vulnerable and isolated refugees and migrant residents in Stockport. 15 – 20 women from different cultural backgrounds shared their artistic talents and cultural stories, developing art and cultural activities to promote mental health and well-being for women, children and their families.

The sessions were run in multiple venues, including St Peter’s Parish Centre, Quakers Friends Meeting House and The Abraham Moss Library.

The fund was used to support room hire costs, food, refreshments, workshop providers and workshop materials. Through the sessions, families attending benefitted from a range of support, including a hot culturally specific meal, completing forms, signposting to support services, developing self-confidence, opportunities to practice their English skills, community integration through volunteering and skill-sharing opportunities, and above all, helping to improve their sense of belonging.

You can find out more about the group, and get involved, on their website here.