Community Engagement
The aim of the community engagement programme at STEAM is to represent the broad range of individuals and communities that exist in Swindon. We can learn from different perspectives, and from sharing histories and cultures. We want to build relationships, make connections, and support people with gaining skills and experience, and provide opportunities for sharing history, heritage and culture.
We have worked in partnership with Live Well and Warm Welcome teams, and the Harbour Project.
We have also worked in partnership, supporting work with Reach Inclusive Arts and independent artist, Felicity Tattersall on the Shouting Softly Project, which explores women’s history in Swindon.
As we build relationships, people will become more involved in decision making and shaping activities, programming and exhibitions in our cultural spaces.
If you would like to work with us contact:
Stephanie Howell, Community Engagement Officer:
Recent Projects:
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Shouting Softly
History is rarely balanced so that it tells everyone’s stories equally
From Swindon Sisterhood
The Shouting Softly Project is an Arts Council funded project, developed and delivered by Felicity Tattersall. STEAM Archive Volunteers and staff from the Collections and Exhibitions team supported Project Lead, Felicity, with exploring the archives to uncover stories of the many extraordinary women who lived in Swindon. Our Community Engagement team supported further research, creative workshops and community conversations.
Wishes for women workshop
Zine making workshop
Felicity and young project participants, Eva, Riley and Evie selected, illustrated and wrote the women’s stories, with support from our Community Engagement Officer. The engagement resource they created, about Swindon women past and present, entitled Swindon Sisterhood, is available, free, from STEAM, MAS and Swindon Central Library. It is also available to download.
The project was celebrated with the Local Studies team, who also supported research, at Central Library on International Women’s Day. There were creative workshops run by the Young Participants, a poetry reading and speeches from participants, Zoe Norton, Councillor Marina Strinkovsky and Heidi Alexander MP. Grace Viora delivered a promenade performance of Swindonian woman, Angela Gradwell, a Communist, international hockey player, pilot and song writer.
International Women’s Day Celebration
The project culminated in a play written by Felicity Tattersall, called ‘Fire and Milk’, performed by actors Hetty Bentley, Yeva Deli and Isolde Dawlish. It was produced and supported by Prime Theatre, and directed by Marnie Forbes Eldridge. It was performed at The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, STEAM, Civic Offices and the Wyvern Theatre in April 2025.
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The Harbour Project
We know that learning is one of the five ways to wellbeing and many of our visitors left the sessions having learnt something new. People enjoyed learning about the history of Swindon, the railway and local artwork.
Engagement Lead, The Harbour Project
In partnership with The Harbour Project, we developed a programme for adults at STEAM. The programme was delivered between June and September 2024. The interactive sessions included a highlights tour, time on a locomotive footplate and object handling session. We explored objects from the railway works and included time to discuss, share and have lunch.
The Harbour Project organised a trip with Swindon Steam Museum. We had a great day, it was really educational, we learned a lot about the first Steam Train made in Swindon. The STEAM Museum trip was fun, interesting and also a great opportunity to meet other people and do something beautiful together.
Visitor, The Harbour Project
We delivered a five-week summer programme for families, devised in partnership with Harbour. The visit included a highlights tour, including object handling and dressing up, bridge building, and badge making.
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Live Well Coffee and Conversation
The group, run by Jacob Green, and supported by Fayeza Sadat, have enjoyed Object Handling sessions at Swindon Hub, along with tours and activities at STEAM, to develop oral and written language skills. Regular participants have started to write content for Wessex in 100 Objects.
Visiting the STEAM museum has been a wonderful experience. The exhibitions are so well presented and it’s incredible to see the history of steam power brought to life.
Coffee and Conversation participant
Object Handling Coffee and Conversation session
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Reach Inclusive Arts
Reach Inclusive Arts (RIA) is a charity providing a variety of artistic opportunities for people with a range of additional needs in Swindon and the surrounding areas of Wiltshire. RIA create accessible and inclusive artistic opportunities for people of all ages who may be experiencing disability, illness, disadvantage or social isolation.
RIA weekly art group joined us to draw and photograph Caerphilly Castle, along with other items from the railway. The group’s creative work on Caerphilly Castle continued back at their weekly art class.
Artwork created from the Reach Inclusive Arts sessions
