What is Window Wanderland?

Born out of direct experience of social isolation by Lucy Reeves Khan in 2015, Window Wanderland (WW) was established to increase community engagement, improve wellbeing and reduce isolation through creating accessible and inclusive window displays - magical outdoor galleries bringing whole communities together.

WWs are a local neighbourhood trail held over a weekend, or longer. A local organiser develops the Wanderland with a local project team, using our interactive online resources. The displays, in residents' street facing windows, form the trail and are viewed from outside, so covid safe as well. WWs are held in all areas from cities, small towns, rural villages to areas with social deprivation and rural isolation.

Why do we need Crowdfunding?

As a direct result of Covid19 and lockdowns, Window Wanderland experienced a huge increase in our events during 2020/21 - literally doubling! This put loads of pressure on our very tiny social enterprise including additional outgoings, largely administrative, IT and development costs.

We have been applying for grants, but with little success. This is for many reasons: increased competition for funding and many grants being very local while Wanderlands are national - and even international! We’ve not given up on that route and have a number of applications in at the moment but we need some extra help while we’re waiting to hear about them. We've therefore decided to turn to crowdfunding for the first time.

We really want to be able to continue to support the 93 communities that put on Wanderlands last year to do another event this year - and encourage more new areas to take part too, but we need funds to be available to do that.

Why are Window Wanderlands important?

Community groups use Window Wanderlands to create deeper local roots, increasing engagement in other projects they run. WWs are a safe, accessible platform with the potential to bring about real social change.

With 93 events, more than 11,500 windows and an estimated 100,000 visitors to WWs last year, we are dedicated to reducing isolation and increasing wellbeing through inclusivity; are long-term - not in response to one specific concern, issue or celebration; encourage everybody to participate – whether they think they are creative or not.

What do people say about Wanderlands?

Evaluations from organisers give us really useful feedback . Last year's feedback said the following:

100% state Wanderlands bring the community together - especially relevant during covid19 and lockdowns; 90% of organisers say they feel more connected to their community; 95% of participants say it has boosted their wellbeing and /or confidence; 75% state it reduces isolation; 75% say it helps community groups get more local engagement and 63% of participants said it inspired them to be more creative.

How can you help?

You can help us by donating to our crowdfunder. You can also help by spreading the word and sharing this page on your own social media.

We promise to use the funds to support Window Wanderland organisers and further the social aims of the project.