Welcome to
Culture in Common
We’re a New Forest programme creating more opportunities for you to see and take part in creative activities. Ever wanted to try pottery or film-making? See live music on your local recreation ground? Bring a pop-up cinema to your neighbourhood? Art, theatre, music, comedy – we want more of it across the New Forest in the next few years.
Why
we’re here
We believe creativity should be for everybody and that the New Forest deserves more of it, especially as parts of it can feel a bit cut off, particularly after lockdown. And we want you to tell us what you’d like to see where you live and – if you can – to help us make it happen.
What’s happening
From Totton to New Milton, we are running a wide variety of creative events around the New Forest, so there’s bound to be something for you.
Take a look at our Impact Report to see what we were up to in 2025!
Community Anchors
We couldn’t make decisions on our programme without the help of our consortium and panel of community champions. These are people from our target areas across the New Forest, unsung heroes that organize or support local events and are helping us to connect to groups of people that don’t experience much arts and culture.
What to expect
When you join one of our activities we hope that you find it…
Accepting
It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from or if you haven’t taken part in creative activities before.
Accessible
We will make it easy for you to take part and give you all the information you need to get involved.
Fun
We aren’t stuffy and boring – we want you to have a good time when you come to one of our events.
Inspiring
We will support you to do things you haven’t done before and meet people you wouldn’t normally meet.
Of the New Forest
The New Forest is a very special place. We want to share our collective stories.
Meet the team
Jacqui Ibbotson
(she/her)
Programme Director
I liaise with Arts Council England, our consortium & community partners, create the programme strategy, produce projects and oversee the work of the Culture in Common team. I started my career at English National Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and as an independent producer in London before moving to Oxford as Head of Culture for Oxford Inspires. Most recently, I was a Producer for Coventry UK City of Culture, where I worked on a range of co-created community arts projects.
Favourite Band: Zap Mama
Favourite Walk/Climb: Almscliffe Crag, North Yorkshire
Favourite People: My daughters
Jasmine Matthews
(she/her)
Programme Manager
I manage the day‑to‑day delivery of the Culture in Common programme, supporting community‑led creative projects across the New Forest and working closely with the Programme Director and Community Anchor panel.
I have led community programming and cultural development across the New Forest with Hampshire Cultural Trust, driven community engagement for Southampton Forward.
Favourite Sport: Formula 1
Favourite Artwork: I love Sophie Tea – her bold colours and celebration of the female form
Favourite place: A small village in Crete that my family visited since I was a child – it’s always felt like home
Cicely Oreffo
(she/her)
Creative Programme Officer
I look after the administration and coordination for Culture in Common – everything that keeps things going behind the scenes. I have a background in photography and have worked with charities focused on accessibility and empowerment. I have experience in producing, design, curation and writing.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me out taking photographs, doing my nails, or looking for my next iced oat matcha!
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Mint Choc Chip
Go-to Album: Loyle Carner – Not Waving But Drowning
Favourite Artpiece: Monet’s Water Lilies (all of them!)
Claire Reilly
(she/her)
Community Arts Producer
I support the community to realise and accomplish their creative ambitions and people fall in love with being creative. Need a strategic-thinker, a note-taker, a set-builder, a tea-maker or an energiser? Look no further! I have worked in the arts industry for fifteen years, as a community practitioner and production, project management, facilitation and evaluation roles. I specialise in producing activities for young people who have faced adversity and I run my own community interest company in Dorset.
Favourite Art Form: Dance, dance, dance, dance…
Favourite Season: The changeover bit between winter and spring!
Favourite Album: Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf
Helen Wallis-Dowling
(she/her)
Community Arts Producer
I oversee and support our Creative Clubs. I have 30 years experience in youth and community work and specialise in radical community engagement. I love that one of the key values of Culture in Common is that its work is co-created by local people across the New Forest. The creativity that exists in communities is so inspiring and it’s a privilege to support people to share their skills, talents and ideas.
Favourite Book: The Alchemist – Paulo Coehlo
Favourite Albums: All Mod Cons, The Jam
Favourite Hobby: Lifting heavy weights
James Douglas
(He/him)
Marketing and Content Officer
I create and manage content for our website and newsletters, ensuring our mission is communicated effectively. For the past 5 years I’ve worked for various theatres and charities in London in marketing, social media and developments to ensure arts is made accessible for everyone. On a normal day you’ll usually find me editing a picture or video at my desk!
Favourite Biscuit: Jammie Dodger
Favourite Song: Aizo King Gnu
Favourite TV Series: Tough split between Star Wars Clone Wars and Nobody Wants This
Our host and partners
Culture in Common is managed differently. We aren’t a company or an organisation. Instead we are governed by a consortium of brilliant organisations bringing together skills from all across New Forest and Hampshire.
The host organisation – a charity that champions physical activity for all in Hampshire.
The collective of professional arts and cultural organisation based in the New Forest.
A charity improving the lives of children and young people in our community.
The local government authority for New Forest District
Responsible for promoting the purposes of the New Forest National Park and those who live and work it.
Culture in Common is part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme (CPP). Creative People and Places is about more people taking the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in arts and culture experiences in the places where they live. There are 38 projects, each located in a place where people previously had less opportunity to take part in arts and culture.