We are a community-owned and led social enterprise working hard to create a culture and local ecology that actively supports community-led ideas.  Working together to develop systems, facilities and community-led infrastructure that can support bottom-up growth.   We support and deliver projects that are inherently creative, social and/or sustainable.  This work not only makes a visible difference to our community, but it starts to changes how it sees itself, how it works and how it dreams.  It's brings joy and possibility.

 

We exist because having a community of people that have your back when you're doing something hard or good really matters.  Being around the right people can make all the difference when it comes to believing in yourself enough to even try and it really comes into it's own when things get tough.  Sadly, this wasn't the norm when we started in 2015, and at the very least, we've created a small but permeable bubble of joy. 

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Since we began, almost 10 years ago, we realised that the culture in our 'place' was not the only thing holding people back, due to years of incredibly high levels of deprivation, there simply weren't the opportunities available.  Access to spaces, skills and stuff stopped people from meeting new people, developing new hobbies or interests and also starting new enterprises.  We also realised the benefits and opportunity for those activities to co-locate in terms of creating a unique organisation with a more aspirant and hopeful culture.  So we started looking at what it would take to make sure our community had the support and resources it needed.  That's the path we've been on since. 

 

We've learnt a lot.  We're not the same people.  And there's no going back.   But that's no bad thing.  ​

 

After a steep learning curve with 'Steeple for the People', and then 'Centenary House' (a partnership with LCC) both not making it across the finish line - we had no choice but to decline over £500,000 in grant offers and financial support for our plans as we had become ineligible from securing the remaining £750,000 without a lease being already in place.  We're now developing our new home on Northumberland Street and working 'independently' (if you can call a 38 strong collective independent), a prime location in Morecambe Town Centre. 

 

We currently have 9 studio spaces all fully occupied, several offering clubs and additional co-working spaces.  We're also working on plans to expand that fully reflect our values and intentions, creating space for people to connect, create and thrive.   Our journey to date has only served to show how much a project like Good Things Collective is needed.  How against the grain that helping, sharing, trusting and collaborating can be.  

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We still get involved in a wide range of creative projects and collaborations.  Creating work we care about and doing projects together is how many of us learn and grow.  It's safe to say for most of us that our favourite or proudest projects to have been part of are the ones we've done together.  Have a look around our site to see some of the of these.  There's plenty to see! 

 

We're also running a programme to support our members as they do, learn and grow.  

 

If you like the sound of us, we might be just the people you need in your corner - don't hesitate to drop us a line or get involved.  Joining the collective is free.

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