Who is in the partnership?

Join the Dots is an inclusive creative network in Hartlepool set up to connect, support and encourage people working in the local cultural sector, as well as others interested in meeting local creatives. The network is run in partnership with BloomInArt, the Northern School of Art and Arts Council England.

Why was it set up?

To address a growing need for connection among local creatives, many of whom reported feeling isolated in their practice. Freelancers often lacked colleagues, new graduates struggled to find their footing, and people who recently moved to the area weren’t sure where to meet peers.

There was also the challenge of finding affordable workspace, opportunities or support without a wider network. All of this contributed to feelings of loneliness and reduced confidence.

How did Join the Dots respond to local challenges?

By developing three strands of activity, each shaped by participant feedback

• Quarterly gatherings
• Training sessions
• A co-working hub

Together, these strands provide consistent opportunities for people to spend time in each other's company and learn collectively, reducing the sense of isolation many local creatives were experiencing.

Quarterly gatherings

Each session brings people together through artist talks, roundtable conversations, presentations, and informal time simply to chat. 

For many, these meetings are one of the few reliable points of connection in an otherwise independent working life. As one attendee said: “As a new arrival to Hartlepool, Join the Dots has opened up connections, opportunities and even a studio to re-engage with my creative practice.”

The gatherings regularly attract a broad mix of people, including students, freelancers, early-career artists, recovery groups, and established practitioners. This mix adds to the sense of community and helps build new working relationships.

Training Sessions

Feedback from network members suggested that what they needed most was practical support with funding, building a digital presence, community engagement and looking after their wellbeing.

The first workshop run by Join the Dots ('Creative Business and Funding Support' with Liam Slevin) gave clear guidance on funding options and how to approach applications. Participants appreciated being able to ask questions openly and speak with others who were facing the same challenges.

Future sessions will continue to combine practical guidance with opportunities for people to share ideas and experiences.

Co-working Hub

Feedback also highlighted the need for a shared workspace, so Join the Dots trialled a co-working space at BloomInArt Studio. Initially the take-up was low, but rather than drop the idea the team adapted the space based on what people said would help them feel more comfortable.

The offer was reshaped into a more social creative hub, with peer-led meetups, themed drop-ins and informal coffee mornings. These small changes made the space feel more welcoming and gave people reasons to come in, even if they weren’t working on a specific project.

Personal impact

Join the Dots has had a clear impact on reducing loneliness and strengthening connections across Hartlepool’s creative community.

More than 250 creatives have taken part across nine events, with the network continuing to attract new audiences.

People report feeling more connected, more confident and more aware of opportunities. Several have applied for commissions for the first time, found collaborators or reconnected with their practice after periods of feeling stuck or isolated.

Adapting what was on offer based on direct feedback proved essential, as participants valued being able to shape the sessions and see their suggestions acted upon.

Influencing change

Join the Dots now feeds directly into Hartlepool’s Cultural Strategy, giving freelancers and grassroots practitioners a route to influence decisions that affect the local sector, and ensuring their experiences are taken seriously at a strategic level.

Creative Lives is pleased to have supported the development of Join the Dots through the Know Your Neighbourhood programme, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and supported by Arts Council England (ACE).