Clay, Community and Connection: How the Leach Pottery is Building Belonging Through Creativity

At the heart of the Leach Pottery, clay has always been more than a material. It is a tool for storytelling, a means of expression, and increasingly, a way of bringing people together. Over the past three years, the Learning & Participation team has expanded an ambitious programme that reaches across Cornwall and beyond, creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect through making.

From school workshops and family activities to community partnerships and wellbeing initiatives, the programme reflects a belief that creativity can strengthen communities in profound and lasting ways.

One of the most encouraging developments has been the growth in local participation. Workshops during school holidays have seen exceptionally strong demand, with events such as the October half-term “From Pots to Print” sessions and February family programmes fully booked. Waiting lists have become increasingly common, demonstrating a clear appetite for accessible, creative experiences within the local community.

The introduction of “gentle sessions” has been particularly significant. These quieter, more accessible workshops are tailored for participants with additional needs and create welcoming environments where everyone can take part at their own pace.

Family activities remain central to the Leach Pottery’s offer. Whether through lino printmaking workshops at community orchards, festive candle holder sessions in Redruth, or drop-in clay activities inspired by the Leach collection, the emphasis is always on participation, play and accessibility. Flexible drop-in formats have proven especially popular, allowing families to engage creatively without the pressure of structured schedules.

Alongside these sessions, longstanding programmes such as Mud Pie workshops and Young Potters continue to evolve. These activities not only introduce children to ceramics but also help build confidence, curiosity and practical skills. In many cases, they provide young people with their first experience of working creatively with clay.

Beyond family programming, the Learning & Participation team has deepened its community partnerships across Cornwall. Collaborations span social prescribing groups, care homes, youth organisations and local charities, embedding creativity into wider conversations around wellbeing and social connection.

Partnerships with organisations such as Trelya and the Wednesday Wanderers (co-lead with the Sensory Trust) have become particularly important. At Trelya, workshops now extend across family support sessions, youth programmes and wellbeing groups, creating a holistic and long-term relationship. Future plans include “satellite studio” sessions that will allow participants to develop their own creative practices over time, as well as collaborative ceramic projects connected to the Trelya café.

The Wednesday Wanderers current project, To Hold Nature, explores the relationship between ceramic vessels and natural forms, combining sensory engagement with artistic experimentation.

One of the most impactful developments has been the evolution of the Leach Pottery’s Community Afternoons. Originally developed as a practical response to changing circumstances, these monthly gatherings have grown into a model for inclusive learning. Open to everyone, the sessions bring together people from across the programme, including individuals living with dementia, carers, socially prescribed participants and local residents.

The atmosphere is intentionally informal and welcoming, with creativity acting as a shared language between participants of different ages and experiences. Short talks on topics such as ceramics, archives and drawing add depth without becoming inaccessible. Importantly, the sessions are increasingly recognised by healthcare professionals, who now regularly refer individuals seeking opportunities for connection and wellbeing.

Schools engagement has also remained resilient despite the temporary closure of the museum during ongoing redevelopment works. The team has adapted by delivering workshops in alternative venues including community spaces and outdoor locations, while also developing new handling resources that bring the Leach story directly into classrooms.

Partnerships with schools across the UK continue alongside growing engagement with local and specialist schools. Upcoming collaborations with Cardew Court School, which supports students with complex needs, reflect the organisation’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

Adult learning remains another thriving area of the programme. Courses range from beginner throwing classes to advanced glaze technology workshops, attracting both newcomers and experienced ceramicists. There has been a noticeable increase in intermediate learners seeking more specialist training, prompting the development of increasingly focused, skills-based courses.

At the same time, the programme continues to emphasise community and shared experience. Participants in the year-long Leach Year programme recently celebrated the culmination of their studies through a communal dining event where their handmade ceramics were used and enjoyed in practice, reflecting the functional ethos that sits at the heart of the Leach tradition.

The scale of engagement across the programme is significant. Between September and November 2025, the Learning & Participation team recorded 1,843 participations involving 1,124 individual participants — a 9% increase on the previous year. Between December 2025 and February 2026, participations rose by 28%, reaching 1,488 engagements involving 1,184 participants.

Yet behind these numbers lies something far more meaningful: a growing sense of belonging. Whether through clay workshops, printmaking sessions or community conversations, the programme continues to demonstrate how creativity can strengthen relationships, support wellbeing and foster connection.

As the Leach Pottery moves towards the reopening of its new spaces, the future of Learning & Participation looks increasingly ambitious. Expanded schools programmes, deeper community collaborations and a continued focus on accessibility are all on the horizon.

What remains constant is the belief underpinning every workshop and partnership: that making together matters. Across studios, community venues and outdoor spaces throughout Cornwall, the Leach Pottery continues to show how creativity can bring people together — one piece of clay at a time.