For over 50 years, Inter-Action MK has been a vital part of Milton Keynes, using the arts to foster inclusion, improve health and wellbeing, and build community cohesion.
We focus on making arts and culture accessible to all, particularly those who might otherwise be excluded. Because our work is with people who face challenges of many kinds, we work in small groups, patiently and over the long term to achieve lasting changes to people’s lives.
Our high-quality cultural experiences are tailored to Milton Keynes' diverse population, ensuring everyone can engage, create, and celebrate. Our impact was highlighted when we were among the few community organisations invited to discuss our creative approaches to mental health and community inclusion with Prince William during his visit to Milton Keynes.
Our Impact
50
Years of bringing arts to life with
diverse communities
15
Years running Groovy Gecko Nightclub for adults with additional needs
1,800
Groovy Gecko attendees a year
300
Gardeners and annual participants
50
Annual workshops with young carers children and young people in special needs education
25
Regular volunteers and
2,500 followers
Key Impact Areas
1
Health & Wellbeing
Our work improves mental health, emotional and physical wellbeing through creative projects and opportunities.
Reducing Isolation: Our activities, such as Groovy Gecko, directly address the increased isolation and mental health challenges faced by people with additional needs, which have been exacerbated since Covid lockdowns.
Support for Families: Little Acorns and The Story Box projects worked in children's centres and Special Schools, particularly in socio-economic challenge areas, helping parents and carers bond and play with their preschool children, improving life chances and wellbeing.
Accessibility & Inclusion
We strive to create accessible cultural opportunities for all. We specialise in the sphere of Arts and Disability; communities underrepresented in decision-making and the cultural mainstream; and people facing social or economic disadvantage.
Supporting Adults with Additional Needs: For 15 years, Groovy Gecko club night has provided a safe, inclusive environment for adults with additional needs to socialise.
Cultural Engagement: We are committed to including everyone in the cultural and community life of Milton Keynes, celebrating the positive and possible through high-quality cultural experiences.
2
3
Skills, Confidence & Employability
We support practitioner development and training especially with those who face challenge and/or are under represented in the Creative and Cultural sector.
Boosting confidence and employability: Our specialist projects empower participants by building confidence and skills. Projects such as ‘Get In!’ support long-term unemployed individuals with mental health or physical challenges, with many participants transitioning to sustained employment, education, or training.
Volunteering: Our hands-on volunteering opportunities enhance employability, skills, confidence and experience.
4
Community Cohesion
We foster community cohesion through shared spaces and activities that bring people together.
Public Garden Spaces: In collaboration with the City Discovery Centre at Bradwell Abbey, we created two public gardens—a productive community garden and a sensory garden. These spaces offer opportunities for gardening, relaxation, and community workshops. The gardens, sustained by volunteers from various local organisations, served as a crucial support system during the Covid-19 pandemic.
British Values Project: We worked with special and mainstream schools in areas of deprivation, promoting community cohesion and understanding of British values through targeted educational projects.
5
Children & Young People
Creative collaborations in local schools and centres help young people build self-confidence and encourages physical and emotional wellbeing.
Young Carers MK: Over the last 5 years we have built a strong relationship with Carers MK who provide wonderful services and support for young carers and young adult carers. Projects have been supported by Children in Need and other Trusts and Foundations.
We are inclusive and welcoming, we work with high quality leaders and creatives, and our projects are crafted alongside our partners and often the participants themselves, in order to improve young people’s choices and chances, and those of their families by tackling a particular issue or opportunity through the arts and creativity.
6
Creative Expression
The arts bring immense social value, especially in community settings where they serve as a powerful tool for healing, connection, and personal growth.
Enriching Lives and Building Resilience:
For individuals facing challenging situations—such as Young Carers, adults with high needs, children, young people, and those experiencing homelessness—community arts provide a vital outlet for expression, resilience, and empowerment.
Through creative engagement, these individuals gain confidence, build supportive relationships, and develop skills that enhance their wellbeing and sense of belonging.
The arts not only enrich their lives but also foster stronger, more inclusive communities.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
These values are at the heart of every aspect of our work and the way that we work. We were part of a group of organisations who worked within Milton Keynes Arts and Heritage Alliance on a series of workshops, audits and training towards a manifesto for Diversity and Inclusion. We are proud to include the logo on our website and you can read the manifesto here.