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. Having established these in Ryde, West Wight, Newport, and The Bays and Cowes – we recently invited the community of Ventnor for it’s first Town Conversations (Monday 20th October 2025), 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. The conversations theme was belonging, specifically posing the question of how we strengthen our sense of belonging.
A summary from Monday October 20th is as follows:
From murals and carnivals to creative hubs like Peer Studios, Ventnor Exchange, St Catherine’s and Art House Live, many shared how creativity, care and community spirit already make Ventnor unique. Belonging, we found, often comes from being part of something bigger and celebrating what makes Ventnor different. We even discussed the importance of collective resistance, something that resonated with many attendees.
Common themes quickly emerged: the importance of togetherness, tackling isolation, creating intergenerational links, celebrating what makes Ventnor unique and what that means to community development, and making better use of the spaces we already have.
Looking ahead, the group agreed to continue meeting informally at Ventnor Library, as a relaxed way to stay connected and turn ideas into action. To combat anyone feeling isolated in Ventnor, the group wants to set up regular, pre-scheduled sessions that anyone can attend. As soon as a first date is set from the community, we will update this page.
Our next Ventnor Town Conversations will be April 2026.
