An arts project called ‘Imaginosity’ launched by Hull-based Wykeland Group has received a prestigious Yorkshire award.
The project is linked to the Treadmills development in Northallerton, and has connected pupils at nearby Mill Hill Community Primary School with their community through the power of creative thinking and art.
Previously praised by Prime Minister and local MP Rishi Sunak, Imaginosity has included a range of inspiring activities, including primary age pupils leading creative workshops with elderly care home residents and covering Northallerton’s Town Hall in recycled flowers.
Imaginosity has now been recognised at The Yorkshires Commercial Real Estate Awards 2023, where it won for Wykeland the Environmental, Social and Governance Excellence Award. Run by Yorkshire Children’s Charity, the awards celebrate excellence across Yorkshire’s commercial property sector.
Jonathan Stubbs, Development Director at Wykeland, said: “The Imaginosity project has been running for five years and in that time has gone from strength to strength.
“Our strapline is ‘regeneration for the next generation’ and Imaginosity encapsulates and brings this brand statement to life.
“Working with partners, we deliver unique, powerful and ground-breaking creative programmes which make a lasting difference to communities in areas where we deliver our developments.
“We’re proud to have established an innovative programme which has changed the lives of children at Mill Hill school and is having a positive and continuing impact on the wider Northallerton community.”
Imaginosity was launched by Wykeland as part of connecting the community with the award-winning Treadmills scheme it has delivered in partnership with the former Hambleton District Council. The £20m development has transformed the former Northallerton Prison site into a thriving retail, leisure and commercial destination.
The project was launched to tackle some of the challenges facing young people in Northallerton, increasing their emotional resilience, raising aspirations and connecting them with their community.
Mill Hill school was chosen for the project because it is just 400 metres from the Treadmills site. In addition, almost three times as many pupils at Mill Hill school are eligible for Pupil Premium support compared to the national average.
