Fun Palaces

The Fun Palaces Makers’ Network is your space to meet fellow Makers and shape the future of Fun Palaces. The next meeting is exactly a week away. There are three ticket options available -
Maker Day Rate Covered
Maker Uncovered
Community Sector Supporter
www.tickettailor.com/events/funpa...

Creative Voices, Activist Voices is headed to Bromley (Kent) and this month, starting with the exhibition launch event this Saturday. You can meet the research team, take part in some creative activities, and express your own call for justice. Free refreshments.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-v...

🔔🔔Get the ding of fresh news from Fun Palaces straight into your inbox every week! Opportunities, updates on where the Support Hub team will be, workshops, useful connections to other community organisations and more! Subscribe on the Fun Palaces website now funpalaces.co.uk/news/newslet... 📥

Do you want a physical copy of the Fun Palaces Impact Report? 📖
Oder your copy and receive your copy in the post. 📫 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

The Makers have taken Fun Palaces up and down the UK and back again. 🗺 In all manner of venue - including online, the Makers have truly created a national campaign!
Where have you attended a Fun Palace??
Read the full Fun Palaces Impact Report - funpalaces.co.uk/wp-content/u...

Fun Palaces Executive Producer (and Luton Fun Palace Maker) Orla Nicholls breaks down findings from the Fun Palaces Impact Report and the Centre for Cultural Value’s report on measuring cultural vitality in the UK. Read the full blog: funpalaces.co.uk/everyday-cul...

Boring Fund | Christina Poulton Applications now open! £200 grants available for small charities, CICs and voluntary groups towards some of those boring but hard-to-fund costs.

Grants For Community Organisations To Cover Essential Costs
The Boring Fund helps small non-profit organisations (based in the UK) cover some of the boring costs that keep them running. Applications opened on November 2025, all grants are worth £200.
www.christinapoultoncreative.co.uk/boring-fund

Two people look are painting on a table. Text on the image reads: "Unlocking Creativity"

Everyone really is an artist. Through case studies, stories, research and more, the Fun Palaces Impact Report highlights the impact the Makers have had on the creative lives of their neighbours, friends and families. Read the full report - funpalaces.co.uk/wp-content/u...

🚩 Fun Palace Alert! The Joy Studio: Exploring Creative Play for Adults Fun Palace
📍 Coventry
📆⌚ Thu 13 Nov, 12pm-3pm
🏰 Allesley Park Library, Whitaker Road, Coventry, UK
.
An open, creative space for adults to reconnect with their sense of play and imagination.
funpalaces.co.uk/fun-palace/t...

10 Years of Stories, Facts and Figures. Read the Fun Palaces Impact Report 📖 📊

The Impact Report 2025 shares the stories, facts, figures and, most importantly, the impact of the Makers, Ambassadors and partner organisations and the legacy YOU have built.

funpalaces.co.uk/everyday-cul...

NEW BLOG! Communities – How Culture Connects Us! - By Rachel, Fun Palaces Producer

Read the full blog now
funpalaces.co.uk/communities-...
Photo credit Roswitha Chesher

JOIN THE FUN PALACES TEAM!
Applications are still open for the DEI & Anti-racism and Accessibility Consultant roles with the Fun Palaces Support Hub team. Applications close on 7 November.
funpalaces.co.uk/fun-palaces-...
funpalaces.co.uk/fun-palaces-...
Photo credit Roswitha Chesher

White text on a red background reading: Creative Voices, Activist Voices. Exhibition open 17-31 October at artsdepot.

A person looks at boards from the Creative Voices, Activist Voices exhibition.

A person, looking side on, studies a board from the Creative Voices, Activist Voices exhibition.

Many people look at a wall of research findings, art work and images from the Creative Voices, Activist Voices exhinition.

Creative Voices, Activist Voices is headed to artsdepot on 17-31 October 2025, a collaborative project between Fun Palaces and Dr Katy Pilcher of Aston University.
www.artsdepot.co.uk/exhibition/c...

Two people with long black hair wearing glasses are looking at a sewing machine.

Red text on a white background explaining the basic terms of the Access Consultant role.

Red text on a white background explaining the basic terms of the DEI and Anti-racism Consultant role.

📢Fun Palaces Are Hiring! Applications are open for an Access Consultant and an DEI and Anti-racism Consultant. 📅The application deadline is Friday 7 November. Full job details are available on the Fun Palaces website funpalaces.co.uk/news/
Photo credit Sean Pollock.

A close up photo of a n inflatable door. Above the door is some text reading: Stellar Portal

Photo taken from inside the planetarium. Image shows a group of people looking up at Saturn and stars.

A photo of the pop-up planetarium taken at a wide angle. It is situated outside in a green space. There is a small crowd of people of all ages huddled around the entrance.

AN image of three painted pebbles. They all say 'Fun Palaces' on them.

Ware's the Fun Palace went intergalactic for #FunPalaces weekend with an out-of-this-world pop-up planetarium! 🌍🚀🌌

This is what community-led culture looks like: playful, curious, and full of stars — both in the sky and among the Makers. 🌟

🎉 Happy Birthday, Joan Littlewood! 🎉

Today we celebrate the incredible legacy of Joan Littlewood: radical theatre-maker, cultural trailblazer, and the original visionary behind the idea of #FunPalaces.

Here’s to Joan, the mother of modern theatre and the spark behind it all.

Photo shows group of people (range of ages) on a dance floor mid routine.

Photo taken from the back showing a group of people dancing. In the middle of the photo are two men wearing vibrant kilts and matching shirts - one blue and one bright yellow.

Group of morris dancers mid routine

Woman in the dance floor by herself - wearing a bright purple dress. She is doing a traditional dance.

Who says you can't have an evening #FunPalace? 🌙💃

Last night we visited Margate for the Ark Cliftonville Ceilidh — and what a night it was! So much energy, joy, and connection in one room. A true celebration of community and creativity!

Wishing all makers a wonderful #FunPalaces Sunday.

A person hula hooping in a mirrored room with wooden floors, surrounded by children and scattered items like chairs, bags, and toys.

A group of people seated around a table with a colourful patterned cloth, engaged in crafting activities using yarn and other materials.

Close-up of two pairs of hands working on a crochet project, with balls of yarn, needles, and supplies spread across the table.

Three people in matching white "Fun Palaces" t-shirts stand behind a snack table with fruit, crisps, and bottled drinks; a vending machine is visible in the background.

Phew - what a Saturday!

Lloads going on across the country - from hula hooping and community tapestries to morris dancing and community cafes - makers everywhere are sharing their skills and passion with their local communities.

Find a #FunPalace near you: funpalaces.co.uk/find-a-fun-p...

Graphic with red and white triangles as the background. text reads 3-5 octane fun palaces. # Fun Palaces Fun Palaces . co . uk. There's a picture of three people: one white person holding a chicken, one brown woman in a blue hijab, and one black man talking with his hands open and gesturing.

Fun Palaces Weekend 2025 is here! 🎉🎪

However big or small, your Fun Palace is already a success - in the ideas, laughter, and connections. ❤️

📍Find one near you: funpalaces.co.uk/find-a-fun-palace

Tag us & use #FunPalaces to share the joy! Have a brilliant weekend!

Selfie of the 5 HQ team in the office sitting round the table. in the background is a map of Cornwall and lots of cardboard.

Nearly there!!! Good luck to all you amazing Fun Palace Makers this weekend.

From our small (and cardboard-filled) HQ, we’re sending love + luck your way ✨

You’re brilliant for saying YES - we’re cheering you on every step of the way!

Have a fabulous weekend,
Amie, Orla, Ria, Rachel & Chama

Graphic with white, orange, yellow and red triangles forming the background. Text reads fun palaces logo 3-5 oct 2025 1 day to go... # Fun Palaces fun palaces . co . uk. Picture of someone Bollywood dancing.

TOMORROW the Fun Palaces Weekend begins! 🎉🎪❤️

From singing to science, storytelling to sewing, Fun Palaces Weekend 2025 is nearly here and they’re everywhere!

Wherever you are, you’re part of something joyful, local and national.

💥 Let's do this!
 🔗 funpalaces.co.uk

Graphic with white, pink, green and red triangles forming the background. Text reads fun palaces logo 3-5 oct 2025 2 days to go... # Fun Palaces fun palaces . co . uk. Picture of two people making electrical circuits using fruit.

2 days to go until Fun Palaces Weekend 3-5 October 2025! 🎪

We’re nearly there and the buzz is real! 🎉

Fun Palaces are all about you sharing your skills, connecting with others, and celebrating what’s already great in your community

📍 Find one near you and drop in: funpalaces.co.uk/find-a-fun-p...

🎨 Junk Modelling in Egham
💃🏽 Salsa dancing in Sydenham
🖌️ Painting a door in Redruth
🧶 Learn to Knit in Lynton
➗ 3D maths and crystal growing in Lancaster
💬 Spoken word in Blackburn
🎬 Community films in Hartlepool
🫖 Tea leaf collages in Swansea

It's never too late to join in: check out our website ❤️

Map of the UK with red pins all across. At the top white text on a blue background reads Fun Palaces across the UK. At the bottom left is a red triangle with text reading 3-5 October 2025, and to the top right is the fun palaces logo.

The Fun Palaces Weekend 2025 is THIS weekend: 3-5 October, and what wonderful Fun Palaces there are across the UK and beyond!

📍 Take a look at the map and visit a Fun Palace near you: funpalaces.co.uk/find-a-fun-p...

There's plenty of activities for everyone...👇🏽

Graphic with white, yellow, blue and red triangles forming the background. Text reads fun palaces logo 3-5 oct 2025 3 days to go... # Fun Palaces fun palaces . co . uk. Picture of three people chatting in a group.

Only 3 days to go until Fun Palaces Weekend! 🎉🎪

The countdown is on and the map is filling up fast ❤️

On the map there’s already community films, local history talks, a ceilidh, rushworking, a pop-up planetarium and so much more!

🔗 There’s still time to take part: funpalaces.co.uk

📸 Helen Murray

Screenshot of a Zoom meeting with the HQ team and Makers, smiling and holding up red items.

What an amazing Weekend Kick-Off Party!! 🎉🎈

Thank you to everyone who came along. We had an awesome time hearing about what's happening at YOUR Fun Palaces ❤️

Whatever happens on the day, you've already made the Fun Palace: it's the cups of tea, conversations and planning. Best of luck! 🎪

White graphic with text reading Bringing Communities Together. Amie Taylor. Photo of people making around a table. Credit: Roswitha Chesher. Fun Palaces logo at the top in the middle and blue, red and yellow triangles along the bottom.

"Creating opportunities for us to come together, and be in person are one part of the puzzle in countering this polarisation." 💬

Our latest blog explores how Fun Palaces bridge divides & spark joy. It’s not too late to join in! 🎉

🔗 funpalaces.co.uk/bringing-com...

Graphic with white, pink, black and red triangles forming the background. Text reads fun palaces logo 3-5 oct 2025 4 days to go... # Fun Palaces fun palaces . co . uk. Picture of two people in a yellow hand-built model car.

4 days to go until Fun Palaces Weekend 3-5 Oct 2025! 🎉🎪✨

From small spaces to big venues, Fun Palaces are being made across the UK, and the creativity is amazing! ❤️

There's still time to join in:
📍 Add your pin
🎨 Use the Toolkit
🤝 Celebrate local skills

🔗 funpalaces.co.uk

Graphic with white, blue, orange and green triangles forming the background. Text reads fun palaces logo 3-5 oct 2025 10 days to go... # Fun Palaces fun palaces . co . uk. Picture of a brown woman in a hijab holding a crafted hanging paper mobile.

Picture from above of people in a chatting and eating pizza in a foyer.

Picture of a woman with red nails holding up puppets that are in focus in the foreground.

Picture of a white man and a black woman in conversation whilst crafting. In the foreground are blurry buckets with fabric pieces in.

Now just 5 days to go until the Fun Palaces Weekend 3-5 Oct 2025!!!

It’s so wonderful seeing all the Fun Palaces popping up across the UK!

But it’s not too late to create a Fun Palace in your local area - why not make a Tiny Fun Palace?

🔗 funpalaces.co.uk

📸 Roswitha Chesher

Post with text reading Creative Voices, Activist Voices on a red triangle. Exhibition Open 16 Sept - 5 Oct. Logos of fun palaces, the bureau blackburn, Aston university, centre for cultural values, UKRI Economic and Social Research Council.

Poster with text reading Placard Making Saturday 4 October, 1-4pm free drop-in. There's a picture of a child's hand painting a poster with a bee, currently reading save. logos of fun palaces, the bureau blackburn, Aston university, centre for cultural values, UKRI Economic and Social Research Council.

Creative Voices, Activist Voices in Blackburn! ❤️
📍 The Bureau Centre, Blackburn | 16 Sept–5 Oct | FREE

Discover how creativity fuels social change through stories & objects from UK communities.

✊ Join us Sat 4 Oct, 1-4pm for placard-making. Come create & share your call for justice!