Happy Place (2025), fully funded by De Reus Foundation, explored how young adults wellbeing can be improved by their engagement with museums, their stories and spaces. Working with diverse 16 - 25 year olds on their own terms, this collaborative project captured their experiences, to better understand what they most want and need and co-designed pilot interventions to improve wellbeing.   

The programme was designed as a wellbeing-art experience, encouraging visitors to engage with artworks in a reflective and personal way. It created a calm, welcoming environment where young individuals could explore the relationship between art and mental wellbeing. The programme was made up of drop-in style workshops and these in turn resulted in an exhibition over 4 days where their work was displayed at the museum.

Young People and Creative Pathways (2026) supports young people aged 18-25 for whom art opportunities are often not accessible. The programme will be solely supported by the foundation and aims to build skills, confidence and progression into creative education and careers. Split into 3 separate workshop styles: Creative Producers; Creative Careers Day; and Source, it aims to reach close to 100 young people in support of making and skills-building. To begin with, 12 young creatives will collaborate with staff and local artists on activities and events throughout the year.