Neighbourhood Narratives CIC is a community-focused organisation bringing people together through arts, heritage, wellbeing and storytelling.
We believe the stories, memories and experiences of local people matter. They help us understand where we come from, connect us with one another and create a sense of belonging.
Our work creates welcoming and inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect, create, share and be heard.
About Us
What We Do
We develop creative projects that put people and communities at their heart.
From arts workshops and creative wellbeing programmes to oral history, heritage and community archive projects, we create opportunities for people to explore their creativity, share experiences and build meaningful connections.
We work alongside local people to capture the stories, memories and traditions that make communities unique. Through exhibitions, performances, digital resources and public events, we help bring these stories to life and make them accessible to a wider audience.
Community at the Heart
Our projects are shaped with communities, not simply for them.
Our projects are co-designed, encouraging local people to contribute their ideas, knowledge, experiences and creativity, helping to shape projects that genuinely reflect the places and people they represent.
By creating spaces where people can meet, participate and express themselves, our work aims to reduce social isolation, support wellbeing, strengthen connections and build community.
Preserving Stories for the Future
Everyone has stories worth remembering and sharing.
Through oral histories, community research and archive projects, we record and preserve local memories, experiences and cultural traditions that might otherwise be overlooked or lost.
By sharing and safeguarding these stories, we help ensure that the voices and experiences of today's communities remain accessible for future generations.
Working Together
We believe collaboration creates stronger communities.
We work with community groups, cultural organisations, health and wellbeing services, and other partners to make arts, heritage and creative opportunities accessible to more people.
Together, we want to create lasting connections, celebrate the richness and diversity of our communities, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to tell their story.
Meet the Board of Directors
Fiona is an artist, storyteller and experienced community arts practitioner with 20 years’ experience delivering cultural, educational and youth engagement programmes across Luton’s third sector. Her creative practice explores memory, memorial and belonging through portraiture, oral storytelling and digital archiving.
Passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices, Fiona has dedicated her career to preserving rich social history and transforming shared experiences into meaningful creative work.
Founding Director & Project Manager
Fiona Martin
DirectorAndy Windebank
Andy is an experienced senior leader with a background in commercial operations, governance and community leadership. As a Regional Managing Director at Atlas FM, he leads large teams, drives sustainable growth and delivers complex operational projects.
Alongside his professional career, Andy is a dedicated foster carer and Mockingbird Hub Carer in Hertfordshire, supporting foster families and helping improve outcomes for children and young people. He also serves as Vice Chair of Governors and Safeguarding Lead at a Hertfordshire primary school.
Jo Franklin
Director
Jo is a retired healthcare professional with a 38-year career in nursing, including serving as Sister of the Intensive Therapy Unit at Luton and Dunstable Hospital. Her professional expertise, combined with lived experience of the impact of serious and long-term illness, brings compassion and understanding to her work.
Jo has dedicated her life to caring, healing and supporting others and is passionate about the power of community and connection to improve health.
Emily Bray
DirectorEmily is a qualified integrative counsellor and founder of Rise Within Counselling. With specialist training in trauma-informed care, attachment, neurodiversity and emotional wellbeing, she brings compassion, empathy and valuable therapeutic expertise to Neighbourhood Narratives.
Shaped by both professional knowledge and lived experience, Emily is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where people feel heard, valued and able to express themselves.
Contact Us
Flagship Project
Luton at Heart
Heal & Connect Through Creativity - Together
Have you or someone close to you experienced a heart attack or serious health challenge? Luton at Heart invites you to be part of a supportive creative project that exploring how creativity can aid recovery, wellbeing, and renewed confidence.