Founder: Louise ‘Blu’ Ashcroft / Enterprise: Aunty Social / Discipline: Multidisciplinary (Design, Crafts, Fashion, Film, Publishing, Visual Arts, In Support of Creative Industries) / Location: Blackpool

More about their enterprise:

Back in 2011 a group of friends wanted to get together in a fun, affordable and social way without going to the pub. After raising money for their first workshop, they went from strength to strength and Aunty Social was born.

Cheerleading Blackpool’s grassroots creativity. Aunty Social is a community arts organisation that gives opportunities to develop creativity, learn new skills and connect with others through positive arty activities. They coordinate a diverse programme designed to bring people together in a safe, supportive, gentle space.

Activities include:

  • Visual arts/crafts
  • Film exhibition/filmmaking
  • Local heritage
  • Creative retail
  • Hyperlocal arts reporting
  • Informal and structured arts learning/professional development

with projects such as textile group Knittaz with Attitude, Queer Craft Club, Blackpool Community Darkroom, online arts/culture magazine Blackpool Social Club and their annual Film Festival.

Auntie Social’s variety of support pathways for those wishing to professionalise, often give people their first paid creative jobs.
AS also provides meeting, workshop and event spaces for their local community and their latest plans include a community café.

Their local artists/makers shop stocks over 45 North West artists/makers at varying stages of their career. Spending with Aunty Social fosters civic pride, directly invests in the local economy and makes you feel good!

DBACE Winner

Find out directly from Aunty Social how you can support them

Interested in mentoring, advising or being an occasional coffee buddy for our Incubator members?

Please get in touch Join our network of supporters

Interested in mentoring, advising or being an occasional coffee buddy for our Incubator members?

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