Welcome to the latest edition of the Vibrant Shropshire newsletter.
We want to highlight some of the great opportunities and projects happening across Shropshire's cultural sector.
If you have something you would like to share in future newsletters such as a job opportunity, funding, cultural opportunity or a success story, do let us know by emailing culturalcompact@shropshire.gov.uk
Make sure to check out the Cultural Funding Opportunities at the end of the newsletter.
If you think this newsletter might be of interest to someone you know, please forward it onto them. To make sure you get this newsletter every month, subscribe here.
Date: Wednesday 29th October to Saturday 1st November, 10am to 2pm
Location: Main Hall, Grove School, Newcastle Road, Market Drayton, TF9 1HF
The Market Drayton Schools' Calendar Project brings together local schools to take part in a collaborative calendar project. Over 2000 children take part in the project which encourages children to create artwork and explore their creativity. The result is an exhibition of the children's work at Grove School, Market Drayton plus, an annual calendar is produced with a selection of the artworks.
This year's exhibition will take place from Wednesday 29th October to Saturday 1st November. From Wednesday to Friday of the exhibition week, there will be FREE Paint a Picture sessions for adults and children from 11am to 1pm.
The exhibition will also feature a showcase of abstract landscapes and seascapes by local artist Katie Barrett and poetry by local poet Irene Stasinski who sadly passed away in May this year aged 95.
Irene has bequeathed her collection of poems to the town and a book of these has been produced in her memory. 50 local organisations and members of the community have each chosen one of Irene's poems to be published in a booklet which will be on display and on sale at this year's Schools Calendar Exhibition. All proceeds from the sale of the booklets will go towards supporting the Calendar Project.
SiD is recruiting for a Support Worker
You will be required to work once a fortnight to support SiD’s Highflyers youth dance group in a central Shrewsbury location. You will be working as part of a team led by an experienced Dance Artist / Leader.
Highflyers Youth Dance is for young people aged 11-17 years with additional needs.
The sessions are creative and movement-based; inclusion is at the heart of all that they do.
You will need an enhanced DBS check (SiD can arrange one for you if necessary).
If you would like to find out more, please contact Rachel Liggitt, Co-Artistic Director at rachelsidance@gmail.com
 A FREE nationwide oral history and performance project for schools, youth theatres and youth clubs working with children aged 9-13. Express your interest here for participating in 2025-26 or 2026-27. Deadline Friday 5th November.
In Summer 2026 and 2027, thousands of children across the UK will take centre stage to share their own stories of the pandemic, not just of loss, but of courage, creativity, humour and resilience. Pandemic Superheroes invites schools to help shape a brand-new musical production, based on children’s lived experiences and voices.
By joining, your school, youth club or youth theatre will:
- Take part in an inspiring memory-gathering project (taking about one hour) and a short optional homework project, using free resources provided.
- Contribute to the creation of a unique play that will be performed by children nationwide.
- Perform the (30-45 minute) production at schools and theatres using the free script, music and performance license.
Further information and express an interest at the button below:
As part of the UK Government's Get Britain Working strategy, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils have been awarded a combined £10.7 million to deliver the Connect to Work programme locally.
Connect to Work helps employers recruit people who are ready to work but face barriers — long-term unemployment, disabilities or long-term health conditions.
Employment specialists support both participant and employer at every stage, including help with Access to Work and continuing in-work support.
Why employers choose ‘Connect to Work’
Tailored candidates
They match people to roles that suit their skills and reliability — saving you recruitment time.
Practical support
Employment specialists help with onboarding, training adjustments, and link you to Access to Work funding where eligible.
Ongoing in-work support
They continue to support participants after they start so you get a reliable new team member and great ongoing service.
Financial help & incentives
They can advise on wage incentives, Access to Work, and other support to reduce employer cost and risk.
How it works — simple steps:
- Tell 'Connect to Work' about your vacancy — email connecttowork@shropshire.gov.uk with a job description.
- They match and shortlist — employment specialists identify suitable participants and arrange introductions.
- Supported interview & onboarding — they support interviews and help set up adjustments (and Access to Work applications where needed).
- In-work support — their specialists check in regularly after the job starts to ensure the placement succeeds.
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A Good Thing matches wonderful UK charities with businesses that have things to donate: helping charities while providing businesses with an ethical means of disposing of unwanted goods.
All sorts of weird and wonderful items have been saved from landfill, from theatre props, T shirts and stationery to aluminium cans, laptops and candles.
Greetings cards have gone to a project for women in prison. Gorgeous organic blankets have gone to vulnerable new mums. Furniture and paint have gone to a community space. Babygros have gone to families of people affected by substance misuse. Bamboo poles have gone to a beautiful community garden.
It takes just 30 seconds to create an account at www.agoodthing.org.uk
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 Our Vibrant Shropshire website includes a directory of all the Vibrant Shropshire partners. This directory will be used to connect partners, promote co-working and link up Shropshire's cultural sector.
To be included in this directory and share the work that you do, please fill out the form linked below.
Once you have filled out the form, please send us a copy of your logo to culturalcompact@shropshire.gov.uk
If you are not a Vibrant Shropshire partner, why not become one for free? Please sign up using the link below, you will then be able to complete the directory form:
Have you got a project coming up that you would like to promote?
Do you have news that you would like to share with your peers?
Perhaps you know about an opportunity for cultural practitioners that isn't listed here.
We want to hear from you.
Please send us details of:
- events
- exhibitions
- classes
- employment opportunities
- shows and performances
- commission opportunities
- available funding
- partnership projects
Our aim is to make this newsletter as informative and useful for Shropshire's Cultural Sector. If you know of an opportunity that's of interest to you, chances are it's of interest to another creative practitioner too.
Please send details to culturalcompact@shropshire.gov.uk
Below you will find a selection of currently open cultural funding opportunities. To see a full list of cultural funding opportunities, please visit the funding page of our website.
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Common Ground Resilience Fund
The UK Government’s Common Ground Award will invest capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services.
Grant amount: up to £10,000
Deadline: 21 November 2025
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Lionesses HERe to Play Fund
The Lionesses HERe to Play Fund aims to improve facilities for women and girls involved in grassroots football in England. Funding can be used for improvements like upgrades to toilets and showers. changing rooms, baby change and breastfeeding areas, external lighting, signage, CCTV, clubhouse renovations and covered outdoor spaces.
Grant amount: up to £25,000
Deadline: currently open
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Severn Trent Core Funding
Severn Trent’s core funding is for organisations that deliver vital community services to local residents, especially supporting the most vulnerable — improving wider community wellbeing.
Grant amount: between £5,000 and £20,000
Deadline: opens 1 November and closes Sunday 30 November 2025
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To find more available funding opportunities, take a look at the Available Funding page on our website:
Know about an arts or cultural funding opportunity that isn't listed here? Please contact us
To share your news with Vibrant Shropshire partners and members of the cultural sector please email: culturalcompact@shropshire.gov.uk
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