At the Vassall Centre, community is built through the organisations, people and partnerships that call the Centre home. One of those organisations is Can’t Sit Still – an arts organisation using creativity and culture to challenge social inequalities, inspire individuals, connect communities and spread joy.
We caught up with Catherine Boot, Artistic Director, to hear more about their work, life at the Vassall Centre and what’s coming up next.
Can you tell us a bit about your organisation and what you do here at the Vassall Centre?
“At Can’t Sit Still we use the arts and culture to create spaces where people can see themselves, be themselves and feel that they belong. We do this in two ways: through creating and touring highly accessible theatre and circus shows for young audiences and families; and running creative wellbeing projects for communities that we care about.”
Who do you work with or support, and what impact do you aim to have?
“Our work is for (and isn’t limited to) babies, children, young people, Neurodivergent people, Deaf and hard of hearing people, people from the Global Majority, looked after children, and anyone who feels that the arts aren’t for them. Through joyful storytelling, creativity and play, we create spaces that allow people to see themselves, be themselves and imagine different, better futures.”
What does being based at the Vassall Centre enable you to do that you couldn’t do elsewhere?
“We have our office here and it’s such a gift to us. It gives our team a ‘home’ to meet in, a place to keep all of our stuff (!), and a brilliant community of other charities and organisations who all care about making the world a better place.”
How long have you been based at the Vassall Centre?
“A year and a half – I think we are perhaps still some of the newest residents!”
What changes have you seen over the years?
“We LOVE the new garden by the café!”
What do you think makes the Vassall Centre special or different from other places you’ve worked?
“The overall vibe of lots of different people from different walks of life all coming together in one super accessible place. And we are huge fans of the brilliant café run by Props.”
What is happening for you over the next few months?
“We have a really exciting project coming up over the summer with South Gloucestershire Council, called Summer of Socks! It’s all about reframing the humble sock as a way into conversations about sustainability. We are creating an outdoor acrobatic show featuring mountains of socks, that will be performed on high streets in South Gloucestershire including Staple Hill on 1st August – just down the road from Vassall Centre!
As anyone who’s walked past our office knows, we are collecting old socks for this project, so please drop off any socks you no longer want and they will have a wonderful second life!
And then we are also preparing for our Christmas show, The Snowy Day, which this year we are really delighted to present at Bristol Old Vic – you can book tickets for this now!”
Is there anything else you’d like to share about what the Vassall Centre means to you?
“We are really grateful that affordable, accessible workspaces like this exist; it really makes a huge difference to an organisation like us. And we are always keen to meet more of our neighbours so do feel free to pop into the Can’t Sit Still office and say hello!”
Get Involved
🧦 Donate unwanted socks to support Summer of Socks http://www.cantsitstill.org/
🎭 Look out for performances this summer in Staple Hill and across South Gloucestershire
❄️ Book tickets for The Snowy Day at Bristol Old Vic https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/the-snowy-day
☕ Visit the café at the Vassall Centre and connect with the organisations based here
📍 Looking for an accessible and welcoming venue? Book meeting and event spaces at the Vassall Centre and become part of a thriving community of charities, organisations and changemakers making a difference across Bristol.
