One element of the work we are doing at Creative Island, is to commit to convening a series of local Town Conversations with the cultural community of each town on the Isle of Wight.
Summary below of our most recent session, held Monday 15th December 2025:
We explored what shapes a sense of belonging across the Cowes “peninsula” and where barriers or challenges remain. Key themes included the importance of welcome and clear communication, especially for newcomers, families, and young people, and moving beyond “us and them” divides.
Shared ownership through volunteering, creative projects, and community initiatives was highlighted as a way to strengthen connections and our sense of belonging. Next steps include creating a shared directory of people and organisations, making better use of local spaces, and continuing cross-sector collaboration. Many valued the chance to meet new people and discover ways to work together. The next Cowes Town Conversations will be held in 6 months time, stay tuned via this page for a link to reserve your free spot closer to the time.
Thank you to those who attended. Attending these means we get to directly hear from the community about positive opportunities and bringing people together, and connect with like-minded and like-active people.
Summary below of Cowes Town Conversations, held Tuesday 1st July 2025:
The energy, honesty and care in the room were clear from the start! Participants brought a range of lived experience, creative ideas and deep commitment to their town. Many attendees expressed how much they appreciated the chance to connect, listen and dream together, noting the power of passionate voices, shared values and common goals.
Key Themes included:
- Connections and Collaboration: A strong desire to connect across sectors, backgrounds and generations, with an emphasis on working together year-round rather than seasonally.
- Cowes as a Creative Hub: Attendees spoke of the potential for Cowes to develop into a vibrant cultural destination beyond its sailing identity. Many want to celebrate its local creativity, youth voices, environmental assets and diverse communities.
- Youth, Community and Inclusivity: Calls to engage young people meaningfully in shaping the town’s future, and to break down historical barriers in order to ensure more inclusive community spaces.
- Practical Ideas: Enthusiasm for cohesive event planning, improved communication (such as an app or calendar) and more opportunities for grassroots projects to start immediately.
Lastly, we’re making a WhatsApp chat for the Cowes Community (all of Cowes, East, West, Northwood, Porchfield – all surrounding areas!) to help keep ideas alive and collaboration flowing. If you’d like to be a part of this, please email Sam our Comms Manager your mobile number to be added. sam@creativeisland.org
Thank you to everyone who attended & contributed to these inspiring sessions. Let’s keep building on this momentum & working together for a vibrant future. More information on our next Town Conversations will be coming soon.
Thank you to Cowes Community Club for kindly offering to host our meetings.
Having established these in Ryde, West Wight, Newport, Ventnor and Bay to Bay – we invited the community of Cowes (& surrounding areas) for the first Town Conversations (10th December 2024), 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. A summary from that event can be found below:
The session began with Gavin, Director of Creative Island, introducing our work as the Island’s Cultural Development Agency. The discussions were filled with enthusiasm & dedication, highlighting the passion for forward thinking & the opportunities that not just Cowes have but the Island itself. In true Islander spirit, we addressed challenges – some of which we don’t have the answers for but for some, are keen to work collaboratively to find solutions.
Maggie Ankers from the IW Literary Festival summed it up perfectly: “If we all stick together & bat in the same direction, stay in contact & work with each other, there is nothing that cannot be achieved.”
