Creative Island is committed to convening a series of local conversations with the cultural community of each town on the Isle of Wight. The ambition is to speak about and listen to the particular challenges and opportunities that we all face, to explore collaborative opportunities, share information and network with others. One of the 6 places or “towns” that we host these meetings is Ryde. Below you’ll find a short summary of each meeting previously held:
September 2025 | This session explored how we strengthen our sense of belonging in Ryde. Conversation centred on connection through neighbours, organisations and shared creative activity, including murals, carnivals and community gardens. The role of young people was a key theme, with creativity seen as a way to build confidence, connection and pride of place. Attendees highlighted the need for better signposting, shared care and accessible spaces to support a stronger sense of belonging for everyone.
March 2025 | Hosted at the Department building by Shademakers and facilitated by Caroline Pakel, this session invited reflection on what people love about Ryde and what they want to see next. There was a strong appetite for collaboration across disciplines, clearer routes to action, and a desire to bring new and different voices into the conversation.
Ryde Town Conversations has been running since October 2023, with sessions held regularly throughout 2024 and 2025, creating an ongoing space for connection, discussion and collaboration within Ryde’s creative and cultural community.
Ryde also has a dedicated WhatsApp group to help keep momentum going, share opportunities, and develop ideas collaboratively between these meetings. If you’d like to be a part of this community WhatsApp group, please email your number to Sam at sam@creativeisland.org.
For future Newport Town Conversations, we’ll update this page and our socials, please connect with us to stay tuned. Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
