At Lighthouse, Poole, Our Freedom unfolded through a rich series of creative workshops that invited people of all ages to explore freedom through writing, sound, and hands‑on making. Working with local artists and community partners, Lighthouse created welcoming spaces where participants could reflect, experiment, and express their own ideas.

Our Freedom: Then and Now – Writing Workshops

Writer Emma Scattergood led a series of reflective writing workshops that encouraged participants to explore what freedom has meant across different moments in their lives. Sessions were offered for adults, young people, families, and LGBTQ+ participants, each creating space for personal stories, shared experiences, and thoughtful conversation. Through guided prompts and gentle discussion, participants produced new pieces of writing that captured their own perspectives on freedom – past, present, and future.

Creative Making for Young People and Families

Lighthouse hosted a number of relaxed, drop‑in making workshops where children, young people, and families could explore the theme of freedom through collage, drawing, and mixed‑media art. These sessions encouraged playful experimentation and offered a welcoming environment for participants to create together at their own pace.

Sound‑Making with SoundStorm

In partnership with SoundStorm, Lighthouse delivered a lively sound‑making workshop for children and families. Participants experimented with rhythm, texture, and recorded sound to explore how freedom can be expressed through music and noise. The session introduced young people to creative sound techniques in an accessible, hands‑on way.

Our Freedom: Then and Now – Exhibition

The project culminated in the Our Freedom: Then and Now exhibition, showcasing writing, artwork, and creative responses produced throughout the workshops. The exhibition brought together voices from across the community, offering a collective portrait of how people in Poole understand and experience freedom today.