Playing Out in Canley
In 2021, Playing Out, a three-year collaborative project between the residents of Canley and the University of Warwick brought workshops and community creativity to Canley and relaunched the summer parade. With funds secured from Spirit of 2012, this community partnership established a steering group and through Warwick Arts Centre, developed an inclusive creative programme of activities.
Playing Out Steering Group
Working as a close-knit team, the inclusive steering group of University staff, residents, and leaders of community organisations included underrepresented groups to help align activities with community interests. The programme developed a significant profile with its regular activities including the Canley Samba Band, creative workshops, the Canley Newsletter, the outdoor cinema on Prior Deram Park, and the biggest event – the annual Canley Parade.
Canley Parade and the Big Lunch
Over 7,000 people attended the programme of over 260 sessions, with seven artists in residence leading activities across community venues and schools, focusing on music, movement, visual arts, poetry, and social history. These sessions culminated in the annual Canley Parade and the Big Lunch – a day of joy, colour, sound, friendship, food, and pride.
Connecting with Canley newsletter
Launching a Canley Newsletter that signposts events, how to access support, and celebrates everything Canley, the steering group delivered over 40,000 copies, inviting people to get involved in Playing Out. When funding ended in 2024, a small group of residents took on the task to fundraise, edit and recruit a team of volunteers to continue publishing and delivering the newsletter.
Legacy of Playing Out
With the end of funding, the legacy of Playing Out has been a more connected community, with greater resilience and increased local participation. The steering group continues to operate with an expanded membership of residents, businesses and Coventry City Council and it has an even more ambitious remit.
Working together has shared so much knowledge and, with the experience gained, the steering group is now building on the momentum and working with Assemble, Turner-prize winning architects, on a public art project to bring public artworks and vibrancy to public spaces, and ambitious plans to revive a family centre from a state of disrepair.
"Being a part of this project alongside others has been amazing as we all got to have our suggestions listened to and we had a say in what we'd like to see happen and be a part of something amazing"
Anna-Marie Corbett, Centre Manager, Canley Community Centre
"How did this happen? Playing Out brought together the movers and shakers in Canley. The funding was a vote of confidence for us all to work together and demonstrate we could build momentum behind impactful community activity. We’re now having conversations about how we increase volunteering resilience, maintain flagship moments in the year and having spaces that bring people together day to day in Canley. These things are no small feat but there is more energy, trust, and experience to pull them off.”
Ben Hayday, Community Partnerships Manager, University of Warwick
By attending and experiencing creative workshops in public spaces and by interacting with friends, neighbours and new people, local residents tend to create meanings, values, not only to building up other meaningful layers of the place but also to define their own identity that allow for a strong sense of belonging.”
Nor Aziz, Founder of Canley Pop Up Cafe, Canley Resident
Canley Parade
In summer 2023, over 100 people took part in the Canley Parade as part of the project. Watch this film and hear from residents, celebrating an amazing day of community spirit, creative engagement and a love of all things Canley. We were pleased to support this year's Canley Parade on 22 June 2024.