Community art project helps people connect with nature and climate action
Gemma and Julie wanted people to understand the climate crisis with their hearts. To do it, they showed them nature in a whole new way.
Every community project starts somewhere. With a conversation. A cup of tea. A few people asking, “What if we tried this?” Or simply noticing what the local community needs.
The National Lottery Community Fund is celebrating those starts – the moments when people come together and decide to act. Because even small actions can grow into something that really makes a difference.
Across Derry City and Strabane District Council area, communities are taking environmental action in their own ways, in their own places. Not waiting for permission. Just getting on with it. Along the way, people are finding benefits they didn’t expect – improvements to health, learning new skills, feeling more connected and finding joy in the places they call home.
Gemma and Julie wanted to help people connect to the environment with a new approach. When the opportunity came up to work as artists with Artitude, they leapt at the chance. Artitude uses art to engage with communities. Gemma and Julie felt like it was the perfect way to use their creativity.
Artitude is supported by the Climate Action Fund (CAF), which supports communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in environmental action.
Helping communities get involved
Artitude began in 2022, aiming to empower local residents to engage in conversations about the climate and inspire community-led change through art.
As part of the project, Gemma and Julie work in two Derry / Londonderry communities, Triax area and Faughan Valley DEA.
They run workshops that explore our relationships to local green spaces. One group is planning a performance piece, while the other is working with collected and created artefacts.
Letting nature lead
Julie and Gemma want the groups to express themselves using the natural world as their muse.
They take inspiration from green spaces for their projects. Gemma’s group looked at the local folklore of The Cropie – a large roundabout left untouched during the building of Creggan Estate because people believed it was a fairy ring. They explored the concept of Irish Wakes, as a celebration of life, and a way to wake people up to nature.
Julie’s group is walking the Faughan River. This does not have a defined path, so they’re letting nature lead their route. Julie joins each of her group on walks that mean something special to them, exploring personal stories attached to natural spaces.
Making an impact through art
Talking about the climate crisis can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with stats about temperatures, emissions or flooding risks.
Paula Larkin, Project Manager for Artitude, says this is where art excels in reaching audiences.
“People can understand the numbers with their head, but can they understand it with their heart?” she says. “And that’s what art brings to this work – the heart. It makes it more accessible, more playful.”
Helping eco-anxiety
Julie and Gemma’s flexible approach may not be traditional, but the results are positive. Their collaborative, self-led community art helps people connect emotionally with complex environmental issues. Many participants explore feelings they had not felt before.
Participants have reported decreased levels of eco-anxiety and increased engagement with the history and folklore of local natural landscapes, motivating people to preserve them.
The project has also helped people build new friendships. Spaces like Artitude – where self-expression is encouraged – help likeminded people to connect with one another.
Get started
We support environmental projects of all shapes and sizes. We offer grants from £300 up to £20,000 through our open Awards for All programme to grants over £500,000 through our Climate Action Fund.
Find out more about environment funding in your area and apply. To learn more about The National Community Fund, visit their website or Facebook page.