The Play & Imagine Research Project

Richmond Arts Service is working with researchers from Royal Holloway University of London to explore the role of play and imagination in everyday life, community connection and cultural participation.

The research is part of our wider Play & Imagine programme, which looks at how creativity, curiosity and imaginative thinking can support people at different stages of life. Through this collaboration, we are bringing together learning from the programme with the experiences and insights of local people, community partners, artists, volunteers and staff.

Together, we are exploring questions such as:

• What does play mean to people across different ages and communities?
• How can imagination support wellbeing, belonging and connection?
• What role can arts-based approaches play in community engagement and participation?
• How can learning from Play & Imagine shape future projects, partnerships and resources?

As part of the research, a series of creative workshops will take place with different groups across the borough. These sessions will provide space for conversation, reflection and knowledge exchange, helping to build a deeper understanding of how play and imagination can support communities.

The learning gathered through the project will contribute to a new Play & Imagine resource, sharing ideas, tools and reflections that can inform future work across Richmond Arts Service and beyond.