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COMMON GROUNDPeople · Place · Story · Access
Take Part

Take part · 16 free places

You do not need to call yourself creative.

18+ with Fenland roots or a real connection to Fenland? Start with your name and email. No portfolio, equipment or finished story idea is needed.

March Library in Fenland
1. Raise your handName + email. We send a secure link.
2. Two short stepsEligibility, what brings you here, availability and any support you need.
3. SubmitWe review it and contact you. A saved draft is not a submitted application.
Fast first step

Interested? Just raise your hand.

Start with your name and email. You do not need a finished story, portfolio or long application now. We will send a secure link so you can add the fuller details afterwards.

18+Fenland roots16 free placesNo portfolio

The 16 funded participant places are for adults aged 18+ with genuine Fenland roots or a meaningful connection to Fenland. Priority goes to people living in Fenland District. If you grew up here or have deep family or community roots but now live just outside, raise your hand anyway and tell us about that connection.

What you are joining

Four workshops. A small group. Your own creative work.

Four workshops

Find, shape, make and refine your story across four principal Saturdays. This is the core attendance commitment.

Your own work

Writing, audio, photography, film, visual work or a mixture. You do not need to decide before you start.

Optional inspiration

Choose none, one or two Open Doors experiences if they would genuinely help your work. They are never compulsory.

Practical support

Individual help, equipment where needed, reasonable local travel costs, lunch and refreshments.

Access

Tell us what helps you take part.

Written information, captions, communication support, a quieter setup, travel or mobility needs and other adjustments can be discussed around individual need. We ask rather than assume.

Your choice

Making something is not the same as publishing it.

Filming, public sharing, your name and how your work appears are separate choices. You can take part without agreeing to public publication.

Already started?

Your secure application is two short steps.

If you already have your secure link, you can return to the application and continue where you left off.

Current funded programme

Public funding supports the 2026–27 participant programme.

The current 16-person Digital Storytelling Lab is supported through Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants. Common Ground is the wider place-based storytelling platform around that funded spine.

Lottery Funded. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.