I am the Arts and Heritage Producer at Oxford House, a community arts centre in London. I oversee the creative programmes and participatory projects designed to reach across our diverse community.

I also develop creative ways to articulate the organisation's rich history as one of the world's earliest 'settlement houses'. Oxford House was established in 1884, by students and graduates who came to live and work in the East End and set up social action projects. Many settlement houses evolved into community centres Ð creating opportunities for local people and tackling inequalities. Most also have creative programmes reaching different ages and backgrounds.

The purpose of my Fellowship is to visit several historic settlements houses and neighbourhood centres across the USA and Canada to learn more about innovative creative programmes, partnership and sustainability.

I have chosen to research this topic because I am passionate about the role arts and heritage can play in bringing communities together. Finally, I want to understand more about sustainability within our large and often historic buildings, and how we can continue to adapt them for future needs.