CICCIC, a Taunton-based community arts and culture hub has received a much-needed upgrade thanks to funding from The National Lottery Awards for All programme.
The Creative Innovation Centre CIC (CICCIC), which runs two key community venues in the town, has been awarded £8,364 to purchase new, accessible seating and café tables. The funding comes at a crucial time, with existing furniture more than a decade old and no longer fit for purpose.
For years, attendees, particularly elderly and disabled members of the community, have highlighted the discomfort and instability of the existing chairs. With increasing demand for inclusive, welcoming spaces, the new furniture will help support over 20,000 annual visitors who take part in everything from art classes to wellbeing workshops, live music, and community events.
“We’re absolutely delighted,” said Andrew Knutt, Director of CICCIC. “This investment means we can finally provide the comfort, dignity and accessibility our community deserves. It may seem like a simple upgrade, but for many people, a good chair can make all the difference between staying engaged or staying home.”
The grant has enabled the purchase of 108 upholstered stacking chairs with arms and 10 new café tables, improving both accessibility and flexibility. It also reduces the need to constantly shift furniture between buildings, a regular challenge for the volunteer-led team.
The funding was made possible thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. Every week, National Lottery players raise over £30 million for good causes, supporting thousands of projects that bring people together and improve lives.
CICCIC also match funded the application with £1,000 from Taunton Town Council’s venues grant, reinforcing the importance of collaborative investment in local community infrastructure.
“This upgrade ensures our venues remain at the heart of community life for years to come,” added fellow director Richard Holt. “We’re incredibly grateful to Awards for All and our local partners for helping us turn this project into a reality.”
Even though it’s only been two weeks since the chairs have made their debut positive comments from community members have already told us that this is the one f the best improvements they have seen over the years.