You believed in us before we even fully believed in ourselves, and we will never forget that.
These four words have always been at the heart of everything we do at Streets Ahead Collective, and on the night of our private view at Hersden, they came alive in the most incredible way.
We opened the doors to our new creative hub, and what followed was an evening filled with warmth, creativity, and genuine connection. From the moment our guests stepped inside, the energy was electric. The studios were buzzing, the Maker’s Yard was gleaming, and every corner of the space told the story of what’s possible when a community comes together.
It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, Streets Ahead Collective began as an experimental project at Chatterbox Café. A six-week pilot that proved creativity could be the spark people needed to reconnect, rebuild confidence, and rediscover their potential. From there, we grew into a nine-month creative community hub in a former Currys building in Canterbury, bringing together artists, makers, young people, and local businesses under one roof.
Now, thanks to an extraordinary group of people, we have a permanent home at Hersden. A space where art meets community. A place where people who face barriers to education, employment, or opportunity can find somewhere they truly belong.
None of this would have happened without the incredible generosity and belief of our partners and supporters. We want to take a moment to thank each and every one of them from the bottom of our hearts.
First and foremost, a huge thank you to Kylie and the team at Necessary Furniture, our host partners at the Hersden site. Their shared values of reuse, sustainability, and community made this partnership a perfect fit from the very beginning. Together, we’re transforming the site into something truly special, with affordable artist studios, a community art studio, the Maker’s Yard, and spaces for workshops, training, and up-cycling.
We couldn’t have built any of this without Ella, Tony Barry, and Dwyane at Jenners Construction, whose incredible work and dedication brought the physical spaces to life. Thank you to Paul at P.A. Grant Electrical for getting the power on (quite literally!) and making it all possible. And to Nick and the team at Zumtobel Group, your beautiful lighting has transformed our studios into truly inspiring spaces to create in.
A special thank you goes to Paul Bretheron at Bretheron Creative, whose design and build vision helped shape the look and feel of the hub. And to Sean at Vanguardia, for guiding us through building regulations and risk assessments so our creative home is safe for everyone who walks through the door.
We’re so grateful to Gummer Leathes and Donations With A Difference for funding the tools and materials our makers and artists need to do what they do best. Thank you to Robins Paper Bags in Hersden for their kind donation of bags, a small gesture that means so much. And an enormous thank you to Paul and Rani at Kerala Foods, who provided the most wonderful catering free of charge, filling the evening with delicious food and incredible warmth. You made the night feel like home.
We also want to send our love and thanks to Julie Dodd and Suzanne Folkard at Chatterbox Café, who gifted us the space for our very first pilot project all those years ago. You believed in us before we even fully believed in ourselves, and we will never forget that.
Behind every workshop, every studio session, and every community event is a team of passionate, dedicated people who pour their hearts into this work every single day.
Liz Wellstead, our Founder and CEO, whose vision and determination started this whole movement and continues to drive it forward with unwavering passion. Miriam Ellis, our Programme and Fundraising Manager, who keeps everything running, growing, and moving in the right direction. Ceejay Bonner, our Creative and Marketing Manager, who captures and shares our story with the world in a way that truly reflects who we are. Scarlett Ward, our Social Media Contributor and print workshop assistant, who keeps our community connected and engaged, providing people with lifelong valuble skills they need to get back into work!. Vicky Dyball, our Operational Project Lead, who quietly makes the impossible possible behind the scenes. Lucy Stockwell, our Print-maker and Workshop Lead, whose creative workshops bring people together in the most beautiful and meaningful ways. Duncan McKean, our Master of Making, who leads the Maker’s Yard and inspires everyone who walks through it. And Eppa Hummerstone, our Administrator, who keeps the wheels turning every single day with a smile.
This team is the reason Streets Ahead exists. We are endlessly grateful for each and every one of them.
We’re also incredibly fortunate to have a Board of Directors who bring a wealth of expertise, experience, and genuine passion to Streets Ahead Collective.
Tuesday-Ann Castle brings her knowledge of International Strategy and Development from Eurostar Group. Julia Joslin, former Head of Business and Computing at Canterbury College, brings years of education expertise. Anna Webber, former Head of Faculty for Higher Education and a practicing artist with eight years of governance experience, understands both the creative and strategic sides of what we do. And Charlie Wilkie, a two-time CEO and former SVP at the Guardian and CRO at HuffPost, brings bold leadership and media insight.
Their guidance, insight, and belief in our mission are invaluable and we are so lucky to have them on this journey with us.
Our Hersden hub is just the beginning. We’re continuing to create free, inclusive workshops for people who face barriers, including the homeless, refugees, older adults, and young people. We’re building a space where participants can rediscover their personal and socio-economic potential, create shop-ready products they can feel proud of, and take meaningful steps toward volunteering, further education, or employment.
We’re also working toward securing a permanent city centre base in Canterbury, so that even more people can access the creativity, connection, and opportunity that Streets Ahead Collective offers. Our dream is to make creativity and culture a greater part of Canterbury’s identity, creating a visible hub for exhibitions, learning, enterprise, and community right on the high street.
Whether you joined us at the private view, follow us online, volunteer your time, or simply believe in what we do, you are part of Streets Ahead Collective. This community belongs to all of us.
If you’d like to get involved, whether as a volunteer, donor, collaborator, or simply as someone who wants to make, learn, connect, and belong, we’d love to hear from you. There’s a place here for everyone.
Because creativity changes everything. And everyone deserves access to it.
Come and see us at streetsaheadcollective.com or pop into our Hersden hub to see what we’re all about. The kettle’s always on.
