A historic Norwich literary venue has been recognised nationally for opening up its green space to local residents and placing environmental responsibility at the heart of its work.

The National Centre for Writing (NCW), based at Dragon Hall on King Street, has been highlighted in a new national report by Julie’s Bicycle and Arts Council England, which examines how publicly funded cultural organisations are responding to climate change.

The Culture, Climate and Environmental Responsibility report draws on evidence from 558 organisations across the country and identifies NCW as a strong example of how arts organisations can support climate action while strengthening community connections and wellbeing.

Dragon Hall sits in Mancroft, one of Norwich’s most densely populated wards and an area identified as having limited access to green space. With housing density increasing locally — including a 6.2 per cent rise in flats and apartments — NCW has committed to opening its garden to the public three days a week, offering free access for families, writers and local residents.

The garden is now used for regular family activity days, workshops for older residents and a free outdoor Writer’s Room, providing a peaceful and welcoming space in the city centre. One visitor described it as a place to “take a coffee flask and a sandwich and enjoy the peace of the garden whilst you read”.

NCW’s work links environmental responsibility directly with community access. Its Greener Organisation Group is focused on embedding sustainable practices across the organisation, working towards Carbon Trust accreditation and reducing waste through partnerships with Creative Arts East and the Norwich BID’s Upcycle Your Waste initiative.

Environmental themes are also woven into NCW’s creative programme, with writing projects, trails and public discussions exploring climate change, sustainability and social justice. Recent activity has included a global online symposium on the climate emergency and sold-out talks examining consumerism, culture and the environment.

Dan Scales, Development Manager at the National Centre for Writing, said:

“At NCW, we believe that words and writing can change lives, help us make sense of big questions and inspire action. By connecting creativity with environmental awareness, we are opening up spaces where people can think, feel and act together.”

The open garden has helped spark wider collaboration along King Street, with volunteers working alongside King Street Neighbours and Orbit Housing to create murals, improve lighting and bring underused spaces back into use. A new grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will support further participatory projects designed to uncover and share local stories created by residents.

Feedback shows a strong local impact. Ninety per cent of audiences say NCW enhances a sense of community in Norwich, while 92 per cent say it feels welcoming to everyone. In 2025 alone, NCW hosted 25 free Family Activity Days, with 96 per cent of participants reporting a positive experience.

Older residents have also benefited, with 61 per cent of older participants in 2024–25 attending NCW for the first time. Most returned for additional sessions, helping to reduce isolation and encourage connections across generations.

The report concludes that NCW’s work shows how climate action within the arts is becoming part of everyday cultural life, embedded not just in policies and programmes, but in shared spaces that communities use and value.