Stonedale Women’s Action Group

Empowering community leaders to run their own creative programmes as arts facilitators

The Stonedale Women’s Action Group (or WAGs for short) are an active group of women working from within their estate (Stonedale Crescent in Croxteth) to push for positive social change. Their remarkable work helped to reduce anti–social behaviour so radically that Mischief Night in 2013 had zero reports of anti-social behaviour.

We worked with the WAGs to build their capacity to run their own creative programmes. Puppetry, face-painting, storytelling and drama development have been supported by child protection and health and safety training.

During the summer holidays in 2013, a pop-up arts space on the estate was the focus for fun, creative and educational provision. While the children created a range of crafts that were inspired by their visits to the theatres, the women developed their skills as leaders and arts facilitators.

A double decker bus was provided by Liverpool City Council to house activities for the children and the arts sessions moved onto the bus. This continued as an afterschool provision, with Billy the Fun Bus effectively becoming a community centre for the estate.

The WAGs clean and decorate the bus, organise a rota of activities on the bus as well as trips to the theatre and exhibitions in the city centre.