by [email protected] | Jun 18, 2025 | Beekeeping, Slough, Social Action, Volunteering, Youth Work
Regular readers will know that one of our most exciting recent initiatives has been our youth-led beekeeping project. You can read more about the project here and explore how it’s connected to young people’s mental health and science-based discovery here. So, what’s the latest?
In September 2024, we were delighted to bring two hives to the Riverside Centre in Chalvey, thanks to the support of our colleagues at SWIPE. Following a consultation with our young volunteers and the wider community, the hives were named – with typical flair – Cardi Bee and Beeyoncé.
Throughout the autumn, our team carefully fed both hives, hoping they would survive the winter. Cardi Bee pulled through, but sadly, Beeyoncé did not, leaving us with a spare hive come spring.
Fast forward to 2025, and the remarkably dry spring has spurred remarkable hive activity. Cardi Bee’s colony grew rapidly, and a breakaway swarm was successfully captured and rehomed in Beeyoncé. That means both hives are now active again – Cardi Bee continuing to flourish, and Beeyoncé starting anew under the leadership of the queen who was previously the monarch in the adjacent hive.
Since our last update, there have been several exciting developments:
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Young volunteers attended a hands-on session with Chalfonts Beekeepers’ Society focused on swarm control. Their learning proved invaluable when the real swarm emerged – they knew exactly what to do.
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The team also received training on tackling varroa mites, parasitic insects that can harm bee colonies.
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Weekly hive inspections have continued, with young people checking for signs of swarming and monitoring the wellbeing of both hives.
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Most recently, we’ve begun delivering introductory awareness sessions on the importance of bees and beekeeping. Just last week, the 13th Slough Scouts visited our hives at Riverside to learn more.
We’re proud of the progress made – and even more excited for what’s to come. For the latest photos and real-time updates, be sure to follow us on Instagram here.
by [email protected] | Jun 7, 2025 | Beekeeping, Mental Health, Participation, Social Action, Youth Work
Last year, we partnered with the University of Reading, the British Science Association, and UK Research and Innovation to begin a beekeeping project in Slough. Co-designed with young people, the programme offered more than just practical experience with hives – it created space for connection, learning, and emotional well-being.
As Professor Ciara McCabe outlines in her brilliant blog post for Mental Health Week, the project explored how purposeful, community-based activities can help support young people experiencing anhedonia – a key symptom of depression marked by a loss of interest or pleasure in life. Her research shows that meaning, self-identity, and helping others are strongly linked to improvements in mental health.
Over 12 weeks, young people aged 14 to 18 took part in weekly beekeeping sessions led by the Chalfonts Beekeepers’ Society. They learned how to care for bees, harvest honey, and understand the biology and environmental significance of pollinators (you can read more about the project here). But beyond the technical skills, we saw young people grow in confidence, form new friendships, and find moments of calm and joy.
Interviews and focus groups with participants revealed powerful themes: some joined nervously but were soon drawn in by the rhythm and focus of the work; many described improvements to their emotional well-being; others spoke of the pride they felt contributing to something bigger than themselves.
As the team delivering this programme, we saw first-hand how being part of a purposeful community can support young people in building identity, routine, and resilience. We have long recognised that meaningful mental health support doesn’t always need to come from clinical settings – sometimes, it can begin with a hive of bees, a shared sense of care, and the quiet magic of doing something together.
For those interested in finding out more, Professor McCabe’s full reflections can be found in her blog post, From Bees to Belonging: How Purpose and Community Can Heal Young Minds.
by [email protected] | May 23, 2025 | CEO's blog, Cohesion, In praise of...
This blog comes from a recent experience our CEO, Rob Deeks, had while taking Together As One’s broken urn to the Slough Repair Café. What started as a practical errand turned into a timely reminder of the power of community, learning, and shared purpose.
While getting ready for one of our events with Slough Outreach – supporting people who are homeless or vulnerable – we made a big mistake. In the rush, we forgot to put water in our urn before switching it on. It stopped working completely. Later we found out this is a big no-no for urns and at first, we thought it was beyond saving.
Then someone mentioned the Slough Repair Café. Run by the Slough Anti-Litter Society, it’s a monthly event where volunteers help fix broken household items – for free! It’s all about cutting down waste, keeping things out of landfill, and helping people learn how to fix things rather than throw them away.
At the Repair Café, volunteers – known as “repair coaches” – don’t just repair things for you. They show you how to do it, so you pick up a few skills along the way. People bring in all sorts of items: small electricals (not microwaves or big appliances), clothes that need mending (but not alterations or zip fixes), bikes needing safety checks, picture frames, basic wooden items, and small bits of furniture. If you’re not sure if your item can be fixed, you can email them with a photo to ask.
The event runs on the last Saturday of each month from 11am to 2pm in the Queensmere Shopping Centre. It’s free, though donations are welcome to keep it going. You can book a timeslot online or just turn up on the day – though there might be a bit of a wait. They ask people to bring only one item each to make sure everyone gets a chance.
Back to our urn. As it turned out, it wasn’t dead after all. There’s a small emergency reset switch underneath, which we didn’t know about. The volunteers showed us where it was and how to use it in case it happens again. Problem solved!
While we were there, we saw people having everything from lamps to laptops fixed. What really stood out was the mix of people – different backgrounds, different ages – coming together to share skills and support one another. It wasn’t just about repairs. It was about people connecting.
We’ve never subscribed to the view that our community is broken and in need of fixing. But there’s a real sense that this project is making it much stronger.
A huge thank you to Tirza and her team at Slough Anti-Litter Society for introducing such a brilliant initiative to the town – and additional thanks from us for giving us the means to make industrial quantities of tea again!
by [email protected] | May 13, 2025 | Creativity, Jobs, Slough
Programme Manager – Slough’s Cultural Revival
Position: Programme Manager
Contract Duration: June 2025 – January 2026
Fee: £30,000 FTE
Employer: Together As One
Programme: Slough’s Cultural Revival
Funded by Arts Council England’s Place Partnership Fund
Purpose of the Role
The Programme Manager will lead the delivery of Slough’s Cultural Revival, a major place-based cultural initiative funded by Arts Council England. The programme will build cultural capacity in Slough, develop local talent, drive audience engagement, and establish long-term infrastructure to support a thriving cultural sector.
Together As One is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to oversee the monitoring and delivery of our Culture and Place Partnership from June 2025 to January 2026.
Slough’s Cultural Revival is funded by Arts Council England as a Place Partnership Fund programme. The programme began in April 2025 and the activity will conclude in December 2025.
Slough is one of the UK’s most diverse towns, and this role requires someone with a strong track record of delivering inclusive, culturally relevant programmes that centre equity and representation. A deep understanding of working in diverse communities is essential.
The Programme Manager will work with the activity delivery partners to manage and coordinate delivery of the six key themes outlined in our successful application:
- The Cultural Corridor – A central town centre space for performances, exhibitions, and outdoor events.
- The Digital Media Skills Hub – Professional-grade equipment and training in digital content creation.
- The Slough Museum – Revitalised to engage the public and attract broader audiences through heritage-focused programming.
- Community Engagement – Targeted programmes to involve underrepresented groups.
- Talent Development – Support for training in South Asian dance, digital production, heritage skills, and producer development.
- Marketing and Audience Development – Using AI tools and collaborative promotion to increase awareness and participation.
Key Responsibilities
– Manage overall delivery of Slough’s Cultural Revival programme against the agreed plan, outcomes, and timelines.
– Coordinate the work of multiple delivery partners across the Cultural Corridor, Digital Media Skills Hub, and Slough Museum.
– Chair the Delivery Group and lead day-to-day communication and decision-making with stakeholders.
– Monitor delivery progress, manage risks, and solve problems as they arise.
– Ensure robust financial management and report to the CEO and funders.
– Lead on reporting requirements for Arts Council England and match funders.
– Work with the Marketing Lead to support promotional and audience development activity.
– Oversee evaluation, including surveys, focus groups, and programme reviews.
– Build and maintain partnerships with local authorities, businesses, and community and cultural organisations.
– Embed Arts Council’s Investment Principles (Ambition & Quality, Inclusivity & Relevance, Environmental Responsibility, and Dynamism).
– Ensure safeguarding, accessibility, and sustainability across all programme activities.
– Contribute to legacy planning for the continuation of cultural spaces and partnerships.
Person Specification
Essential Experience and Skills:
– Proven experience in successfully delivering complex, multi-partner cultural or community development programmes.
– Strong project management skills, including planning, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation.
– Financial management experience, including budget control and funder reporting.
– Excellent communication, negotiation, and partnership working skills.
– Demonstrable experience working in highly diverse communities and ensuring inclusive, accessible delivery that reflects the needs of different cultural groups.
– An understanding of Arts Council England funding frameworks and expectations (specifically “Let’s Create” strategy).
– Experience managing teams and/or stakeholders across different sectors (arts, business, education, local government).
– Ability to take initiative, solve problems creatively, and manage competing priorities under pressure.
– Commitment to fair pay, environmental sustainability, and inclusive practice.
Desirable Experience and Skills:
– Lived or professional experience in Slough or other super-diverse urban environments.
– Experience with digital innovation in the arts (e.g. digital storytelling, AR/VR, immersive media).
– Familiarity with the Creative Case for Diversity and the Inclusive Growth agenda.
Working Arrangements
This role will require regular travel to Slough, including attendance at key meetings and events. While much of the work can be carried out remotely, the Programme Manager is expected to be on-site in Slough for in-person delivery and collaboration when required.
We anticipate that remote working will be possible for up to two days per week, with the remaining time spent working in Slough or attending partnership meetings across the area. Flexibility around working patterns can be discussed at interview.
A work mobile phone and laptop will be provided.
We are committed to removing barriers for disabled applicants and employees, and we support applications for the government’s Access to Work scheme. This can provide funding for practical support, assistive technology, travel adjustments, and other workplace accommodations.
Candidates are welcome to share any access needs at any stage of the application process.
Additional Information
– Appointment subject to an enhanced DBS check.
– Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
– Contract may be extended beyond January 2026 depending on success and funding.
How to Apply
Send a CV and covering letter (max 2 sides of A4) outlining relevant experience and motivation to [email protected] by 5 pm on Monday 26th May.
If you have access requirements or would prefer to submit your application in an alternative format — such as audio or video — please do so. We are happy to receive applications in the format that best suits you. If you’d like to discuss any adjustments ahead of applying, feel free to contact us.
Candidates are welcome to share any access needs at any stage of the application process.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Together As One is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
We actively encourage applications from people who are currently underrepresented in the arts and cultural sector, including but not limited to candidates from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, neurodivergent individuals, and LGBTQ+ communities.
