About Us 

Lionfeather Project CIC is a creative community organisation based in Sunderland working across the North East to support adults, children and families who are experiencing disadvantage and who have the fewest opportunities to access heritage, learning and cultural activities. We focus on reaching people who are not currently involved in other services and who may feel isolated, overlooked or disconnected from the life of their community. 

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We offer something different. At the heart of Lionfeather is a belief that creativity and heritage are powerful tools for connection, expression and change. We run free to access and pay-what-you-can activities that bring people together to learn heritage craft skills, share stories and discover new possibilities. Our programmes are rooted in hands-on experiences that are social, supportive and inclusive. We focus on traditional crafts such as stained glass, pottery, wood carving and stone masonry. These crafts carry histories that belong to us all and through learning them people gain practical skills and confidence that can be used in everyday life.

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People who come to Lionfeather learn much more than the craft itself. They grow in confidence, make friends, explore their creativity and build transferable skills. We see people discover interests they never knew they had and we support them to take the next step. That might mean volunteering with us, enrolling in further learning, joining another community group or accessing help through local services. We actively signpost people into opportunities that match their interests and needs from wellbeing support and benefits advice to education and employment.

We deliver our activities directly in the community. Our workshops take place in neighbourhoods where people already live, meet and feel at home. We work in areas where cultural access is lowest and where the cost of travel or childcare might be a barrier. By bringing heritage and cultural programming to local spaces we create a sense of belonging and ownership. People are more likely to engage when they feel the activity is for them and that their presence matters.

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Our work is grounded in local knowledge and relationships. We collaborate with community venues, voluntary groups and referral partners to ensure that what we offer is relevant and responsive. We listen to what people need and we design our projects to reflect the strengths and challenges of each community we work with.

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Lionfeather Project is built on care, creativity and community. We believe that heritage belongs to everyone and that cultural learning should not be a luxury or reserved for a few. We are proud to support people who may have been left out of other opportunities and to provide spaces where they feel welcome, seen and inspired. Whether someone is trying a new skill, reconnecting with a passion from the past or taking their first steps back into community life we are here to support them with patience and purpose.

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We are named for qualities we hold dear. The lion stands for courage, strength and pride. The feather stands for lightness, imagination and care. Together they symbolise the spirit of our work. We offer bold creative programmes delivered with a gentle touch making space for people to grow in their own time and in their own way. At Lionfeather we believe in people, in potential and in the power of creativity to transform lives.