Have you ever wondered why meditation, movement, and personal development workshops are so expensive? And how are they supposed to help those who need them most, since they often cost hundreds of pounds?
So did we!
That’s why we started the Community Empowerment Programme (CEP), supported by the Community Fund from the National Lottery.
The purpose of the CEP is two-fold:
- To improve access to spiritual, creative, and personal growth activities for everyone regardless of religious, financial, and social background.
- To empower facilitators and leaders of different experience levels to develop their offerings and relationship with their audience.
Noam Chomsky, an influential anti-capitalist thinker and activist of the 20th century, once said:
If it is correct – as I believe it is – that a fundamental element of human nature is the need for creative work, for creative inquiry, for free creation without the arbitrary limiting effects of coercive institutions – then of course it will follow that a decent society should maximize the possibilities for this characteristic to be realized.
We like to think that the CEP is The Salisbury Centre’s contribution to creating a decent society. This is how we continue the mission that the original founders, with Winifred Rushford as their mentor, started on the 1st January 1973.
Click here to read more about the Centre’s history.
The following sections are for those who:
- Are interested in hosting their event or workshop as part of the CEP
- Want to attend a community event
- Would like to display their artwork at The Salisbury Centre
- Want to learn more about our Seasonal Celebrations.
Please refer to the relevant section, depending on which part of the CEP you’re interested in.
For facilitators: Hosting your event or workshop
The Salisbury Centre offered amazing facilities and a warm environment to welcome members of BlackBox Discussions. It is clear that The Salisbury Centre welcomes members of the community in but they also encourage you to stay. We are sincerely grateful for the space provided by The Salisbury Centre. To its phenomenal staff, and to the kindness that has been shown to us and thus, recommend this space to anyone who desires a warm, comfortable and welcoming space to host a discussion or event of any kind.
Hannah and Esther
If you have an idea for a class, workshop, or group activity that you’d like to offer to the community – we’d love to hear from you. We can offer support to develop your offering and free access to our event spaces.
Look out for the next round of community events applications! They usually open twice a year – once in July/August, and then January/February. You can find a link to the application form on this page once they go live. Or, subscribe to our newsletter to get notified.
You can also get in touch with questions by emailing [email protected].
Below are the main expectations and requirements when running a community event with us.
Free use of the space and donations split
All the events within the CEP are offered by donation, with some free spaces available for those who can’t afford even a minimal donation.
Community facilitators do not pay a fee for hiring a room at The Salisbury Centre. Instead, after all donations have been collected for an event, the total amount will be shared. 60% of the money will go to the Facilitator and 40% to the Centre.
Promotion and social media
The community events are promoted through the Salisbury Centre communications channels, including:
- The Salisbury Centre Facebook, Instagram and Website
- Monthly newsletter
- Seasonal programme brochures
To ensure we put your event on social media, it is your responsibility to send us the copy for the post + a photo / graphic that you have rights to use. You can also add The Salisbury Centre as a collaborator to your posts.
Mentoring
If you’re a newly trained practitioner or aspiring facilitator who needs a bit of support to get started – we’re here for you!
Our Community Development Lead is available to help. If you want to refine your idea before applying for the next round of CEP events, or you already got accepted but are experiencing some self-doubt, please reach out to c[email protected].
We want to provide the best support we can for our community facilitators.
The support I received from the Centre was instrumental in starting and growing my group. I wouldn’t have started it otherwise. The CEP team helped me develop my idea and create a series of small steps to make it happen. I would recommend this support to anyone who has a seed of an idea and wants to step up to lead or facilitate an activity!
Marta
Eligibility
Community facilitators are representing the Centre and will be covered by the Centre’s public liability insurance.
It is important that the Centre feels comfortable with the quality, safety, and integrity of both the facilitator and the type of event offered. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis via the application forms.
All potential community facilitators need to fulfil the following criteria:
- Where relevant, provide qualifications and/or affiliation to a professional membership body (for example, yoga instructor qualifications)
- Show an understanding of the ethos of the Centre, ideally by having previously participated in some community activities, events, volunteering, or training.
- Be in alignment with The Salisbury Centre mission, values and policies, without any known breaches or concerns about trust, reliability, or our Code of Conduct.
- Meet our booking criteria and Terms and Conditions, as well as the needs and interests of our community and/or potential new audiences.
- Show willingness to co-operate and be flexible when agreeing to event logistics, including the time and room booked.
- Have a preliminary meeting with The Salisbury Centre staff member to discuss your idea, and go through a facilitator induction.
You will be informed about the complete Terms & Conditions as part of your induction as a community facilitator.
For growth-seekers: Accessing our community events
Community events are a core component of The Salisbury Centre’s regular offerings and reflect the diversity of our community. They include one-off events, regular workshops, peer groups, time-bound courses, and more.
Some examples of the events happening in this round include:
- Yoga and Qi Gong
- Somatic movement
- Dance classes
- Philosophical group inquiry
- Painting and drawing classes
- Personal growth workshops employing neuroscience, shamanic, writing, and other practices.
This is just a taste. For the full list of events, please click through to our Events Calendar or pick up a printed programme from the Centre’s foyer.
These events are marked by (C) on our calendar, to distinguish them from private events.
Unlike the latter, community events are offered by donation and are open to all. This ensures that people from all backgrounds can take part.
To reserve your spot, please go to the website page of the specific event in our calendar and check how to book. Usually, this will be done via Eventbrite or emailing the facilitator.
For artists: Displaying your artwork at the Centre
“The initial project was The Hands of the Salisbury Centre and I involved many different community members/groups and brought them together in a substantial exhibition and short film. The second project – the collaboration with Southside Faith Care – evolved organically and involved people from both organisations working together, resulting in an exhibition and short film. How much of a welcome learning curve this has been for me!”
Louise Adam
In 2025, we opened our doors (and walls!) to artists who would like to show their artwork to our community. We are prioritising artists who:
- Are already connected to the Centre
- Create art whose themes align with our ethos
- Wouldn’t be able to display their art otherwise due to financial and other constraints.
The applications for Community Art Exhibitions open once a year in January.
You can find a link to the application form on this page once they go live. Or, subscribe to our newsletter to get notified.
You can also get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Below are the main expectations and requirements when hosting an art exhibition at the Centre.
Use of the exhibition space
Basic terms and conditions around room use and 60/40 donations split are the same as for the community facilitators. Some other things you should consider when applying:
- The space we offer is in the Art Room and in the corridors on the ground floor.
- Due to the nature of the community space, we are only able to exhibit 2D artwork
- The selection of art needs to be reviewed by the CEP team before it goes up on the walls
- As The Salisbury Centre doesn’t operate on a drop-in basis, the artist needs to be present as a host during the exhibition opening times
- Currently, we don’t have an allocated budget to contribute to display costs such as framing or printing.
You will be informed about the complete terms when your exhibition proposal is accepted.
For everyone: Joining our seasonal celebrations
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Seasonal celebrations are at the heart of the Community Empowerment Programme! Happening approximately every six weeks, they are a “touchpoint” for all the community members as well as newcomers.
They also provide an inclusive, relaxed space to celebrate seasonal transitions such as Equinoxes and Solstices.
All Seasonal Celebrations are by donation, with an option to come for free if finances are a barrier. There is usually a drop-in space that you can just turn up for (such as storytelling around the fire, jam making, crafting session), as well as a choice of workshops that require booking.
The next seasonal celebration is Autumn Equinox. Click on the Eventbrite link to book your spot.
If you have questions, please email [email protected]
