Introducing Country & Town House’s 2026 Charity Partner: Create

As part of our B Corp commitment, each year Country & Town House selects one charity to support as our Charity of the Year. We look to support organisations whose work closely aligns with our values, putting creativity, sustainability, purpose and community at the heart of everything they do. This year, we are proud to support Create, a charity that believes passionately in the power of creativity to transform lives.

Create is a multi-award-winning charity empowering lives, reducing isolation and enhancing wellbeing through the creative arts.

Since it was established in 2003, Create has been driven by a clear sense of purpose that can be summed up in a simple sentence: People need to create. 

This insight – that everyone deserves access to the power of the creative arts – is the guiding principle of all its work.

Creativity impacts wellbeing, emotional and mental health. It builds skills, brings joy and reduces isolation. It allows us to think differently, to express ourselves, and to be heard. It enables us to learn about ourselves and others in new ways. It inspires, empowers and raises aspirations.

Create provides free high-quality creative arts experiences for children and adults facing challenges in their lives, working with professional artists and community partners to bring creativity directly to people. They are given a chance to meet others and boost their wellbeing through music, dance, painting, photography, drama, and a host of other artforms.

Create works with other charities, day centres, carer services, schools, psychiatric hospitals, homeless shelters, prisons and other partners, to reach those who normally have few opportunities to come together and be creative. Many projects culminate in participants’ showcase of their work, celebrating their achievements and giving them a voice.

Since it was founded, Create has reached almost 50,000 participants through 16,000 workshops.

Create’s Youth Ambassador Abi is one of the thousands of people whose lives have been improved by the creative arts. As a young carer, she took part in Create’s workshops from a young age. Her experiences opened her eyes to her own creative potential, and she is now studying filmmaking at university. She sums up the transformative power of creativity beautifully: 

‘Without creativity I wouldn’t be the same person I am today. I definitely wouldn’t be as happy as I am. It’s something to fall back on when I’m sad or not in the best mood. It’s something that will always be there and that no one can take away.

‘Being able to unlock the creative side of your brain is very therapeutic. For me, all artforms are therapeutic; it’s a way to release your emotions and energy that you have built up.

“Being creative makes me feel really accomplished, proud and happy. It also lets me dream.’

Nicky Goulder, Founding CEO of Create, said: 

‘Over the past two decades, Create’s projects have brought joy to people in the most challenging circumstances across the country, helping them build confidence, skills, connections and wellbeing. But far too many marginalised people still don’t have access to the benefits of creativity. We’re delighted that Create is this year’s Country & Town House charity partner, enabling us to work together to bring the life-enhancing power of the creative arts to increasing numbers of those who need them most.’

To support Create’s mission of expanding access to creativity to society’s most vulnerable people, visit their website: createarts.org.uk

How will C&TH support Create? 

As well as other non-tangible elements, C&TH will offer:

• Complimentary advertising in every C&TH edition
• Ongoing editorial support across print, online, social media
• Chelsea Arts Festival partnership 

To keep up with our partnership, keep coming back to this page and follow us on social media: @countryandtownhouse & @createcharity