Community connection

Aim: Creating Carnival is a project by Empowering Bridges & Mas Africa offering free arts workshops to unite families through culture & joy.

🌟 About Us

I’m Cara Lloyd, founder of Empowering Bridges — a grassroots community group based in Brixton, South London. With a background in youth work, community organising, and now training as a counsellor, I’ve spent over 15 years creating safe, creative spaces where young people and families can thrive.

My team is made up of passionate, experienced creatives — costume designers, stilt walkers, youth facilitators, wellbeing practitioners, and cultural leaders working in partnership with Mas Afric.Together, we use arts, culture and heritage to build confidence, pride, and connection.

We believe that carnival is more than a parade — it’s an act of celebration, resistance, and unity. Our work brings this alive through free workshops that centre African and Caribbean heritage, creativity, and joy.

🎯 Our Idea: Carnival Arts Workshops for Youth & Families

This summer and autumn, we’re running a programme of free charge working in partnership with Mas Africa running Carnival Arts Workshops across Lambeth and Southwark.

These sessions will include:

    •    🎭 Costume design and creation using Afro-Caribbean-inspired styles, using recycled materials

    •    🤹🏾‍♀️ Stilt-walking – taught in a fun, inclusive way for young people and families

    •    📸 Photography and storytelling – capturing cultural identity through art

    •    🎶 Movement and rhythm rooted in carnival culture

    •    💬 Wellbeing sessions and shared meals to strengthen family bonds

Workshops will be led by Black artists and cultural facilitators, many of whom are based in the communities we’re working in. It’s hands-on, joyful, and rooted in empowerment through heritage.

🎯 Our Idea: Carnival Arts Workshops + Live Performances

This summer and autumn, Empowering Bridges will run a series of free Carnival Arts Workshops across Lambeth and Southwark — leading into real-life performance opportunities at major events.

We don’t just stop at the workshops — we take what young people and families create and bring it to life at carnivals and community events across the UK, showcasing their talent and cultural pride on the road.

So far, our group has performed at:

    •    🎉 Luton International Carnival in partnership with Mas Africa

    •    🏆 Community showcases across South London

    •    🎭 And this year, we’re aiming to take families to Notting Hill Carnival — Europe’s biggest street celebration of Caribbean culture!

Workshops will include:

    •    🎨 Costume design and wearable art

    •    🤹🏾‍♂️ Stilt-walking & Dance for all ages

    •    📸 Photography, storytelling and wellbeing sessions

    •    🎶 Final rehearsals and performances at real carnivals

💸 How We’ll Use the Money 

We’re raising £10,000 as part of our broader £37,000 campaign to support the summer–autumn programme and make sure cost is never a barrier.

Here’s where your donations will go:

Category    How Funds Will Be Used

🎨 Workshop Materials    Fabrics, headpieces, recycled art supplies

🚌 Travel & Refreshments    For youth & families attending local sessions

🛠️ Artist & Facilitator Fees    Fair pay for Black (not excluding  other races), artists and cultural specialists

🎟️ Notting Hill Participation Fees Entry fees, travel, costumes for children & parents

🎤 Showcase & Event Costs    PA hire, road logistics, photography & security

📸 Documentation & Legacy    Visual content, testimonials, youth reflections

This year, we’re aiming to support 15–20 participants to take part in Notting Hill Carnival — many of whom have never had this experience before.

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🌍 Our Vision

Whether it’s Brixton, Luton or Notting Hill, we want our young people to see the country, connect with others, and take their heritage with them, with pride.

Our long-term vision is to grow Empowering Bridges into a sustainable cultural platform that connects generations through creativity, care and community. With your support, we’ll continue to deliver:

    •    Vocational skills through arts and heritage

    •    Intergenerational activities that centre Black culture

    •    Safe, joyful spaces for underrepresented communities

    •    Opportunities for young people to shine — on and off the road

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 4th August 2025 at 1:57pm