This summer we were brought together through nature, movement, and creativity with COMMON GROUND: a series of outdoor gatherings in Brighton and Hove’s green spaces by Lighthouse Future Creative Leader, Megan Lee from Mind, Body & Earth. This is the second iteration of Common Ground, and there were 4 events from 21 June - 8 August 2026. Common Ground is about treating our green spaces as meeting places + sanctuaries. It’s about connecting people, sharing skills, and building community outdoors – one space at a time.

We talked to Meg and asked her some important questions:


Where did your idea for Common Ground come from?

It was born after I read a book Bobby Brown (Lighthouses' Creative Communities Producer) gave me, The Connected Community by Cormac Russell and John L. McKnight. At the time, I was unemployed, applying for jobs every day and barely affording rent. In this book, there was an analogy where it described the author fishing and needing bait - he went to a shop, and the shopkeeper told him that if he looked on the way, he would have found all the bait he needed under the stones outside if he turned them over. The life lesson was that “if we are only consumers, we will never see what’s there.” This analogy sparked the idea that everything I need is free and on my doorstep, in Brighton. I had a meeting with Bobby after, and he said: “Do the things that require less permission”. That’s when I decided to do an outdoor programme in these free, green spaces that Brighton and Hove is abundant in.

Why did you decide to take the events outdoors?

It’s free, and I love nature and to touch grass… I think people need to touch grass more! (and interact with the land they walk past every day)

What did you discover about what happens when we take away the pressure to 'participate’? 

People are able to interact with the space however they feel comfortable. I want to be able to meet people where they’re at, rather than forcing them to do something they don’t want to do.

Did anything surprise you about the events?

Yes, how many people told me that they “needed it” or some green spaces, some never had stepped foot in, let alone sat down to do something.

What do you hope people take away from Common Ground?

To use outdoor spaces more! That green spaces are multi-functional. I hope people come back to the spaces and interact with them. I hope people take away joy and calmness, as I’d like these spaces to be seen as sanctuaries.

This summer's four COMMON GROUND events brought joyous, low-pressure gatherings to Brighton & Hove's green spaces. Led by Meg, RSPB, Always Flow, Facesoul and Aghh! Zine, each session shared skills, sparked connection, and fostered intergenerational community. Green spaces became sanctuaries this summer; each park and patch of grass held space for connection, creativity, and quiet belonging.

Sunday Birds with Mind, Body + Earth

To kick-start Common Ground 2026, Meg led a bird-watching workshop at St Ann’s Wells Garden. Together, we learnt to spot and identify birds using our sight and sound, with binoculars kindly provided by RSPB and the Merlin App. RSPB volunteers, Nicole and Lynn, shared their bird knowledge with the group, giving us more context and history about the birds local to Brighton. The workshop was accompanied by a zine, beautifully made by Meg with designs by Zack. The zine shared more insight about local birds, what kind of sounds they make and bird bingo! We ended the workshop with a picnic and Meg’s amazing homemade Sunday Birds cake. Mind, Body and Earth

Who’s it for? With Mind, Body + Earth x Always Flow

Together we investigated Kemptown’s green spaces: which ones are public, which ones are private and why. As we collectively strolled through Kemptown, we asked ourselves and each other: how these spaces made us feel, who we think they were designed for, who is missing from these spaces, what we would change about them if we could. And most importantly, what would it look like if they truly belonged to everyone. We thought about the symbol a fence holds: are they there to protect or to exclude? The walk ended in Kemptown’s Secret Garden (once private, now public), where we learnt about the history of Sussex Square and the tunnel systems under Brighton. To wrap up the event, we had homemade ice lollies from Siobhan, who runs the cafe, and relaxed in the sun.  AlwaysFlow

Holistic Arts Workshop with Facesoul

This Holistic Arts Workshop was part of Facesoul's residency here at Lighthouse. The event started with an introduction, where attendees shared something about themselves alongside a movement that everyone else copied.

What followed was a joyful and energetic session with embodied play, where we, as a community, engaged with our bodies, feelings and each other.

Safe to say, there was a lot of laughter as we all let go of our inhibitions and reclaimed our creativity. The Secret Garden was the perfect space for our small, intimate gathering. Facesoul (Faisal Salah) closed the event with an a cappella rendition of one of his songs, and then we all enjoyed a meal together as the sun set over us.

“First and foremost, I say the entire experience was wonderful… It went really well and opened up a new door to be able to develop play as the foundation for creativity. Some of my feedback from the participants was that they just had a really fun time… it was a beautiful space to just rest and regenerate in creative play.” Facesoul 

Mapping Our Senses with Aghh! Zine x Mind, Body + Earth

“We created this workshop to be a reflective, mindful space full of curiosity and discovery of Brighton’s Queen’s Park. Participants began the session by grounding themselves through their senses, taking time to notice what sights, sounds and smells were present, and what was missing. Many attendees took note of our recent summer of droughts on the land.

Using tactile texture printing, participants slowed down to experience the landscape from a fresh perspective. This hands-on technique encouraged everyone to let go of perfectionism, embrace unexpected results, and connect deeply with their environment. 

While hunting for unique textures across the park’s natural and man-made elements, people also observed the other living things we share our green spaces with, spotting a Brown Hairstreak butterfly and a Green-eyed Flower Bee. 

We shared the park's rich history, including its Queer heritage, which only added to the experience. Participants also received hand-sewn notebooks made by us,  to acknowledge the specialness of these workshops and of natural spaces. 

The session ended with participants writing personal, private notes to the land. And we wanted to ask you: Have you been texture-hunting in a local green space? And: What would you write to the land?”  Aghh! Zine

Megan Lee

Meg is a Brighton-based creative facilitator and the founder of Mind, Body and Earth, a growing project that offers gentle, welcoming spaces where people can connect, reflect, and express themselves through creativity. She believes that creative practices that support mental and emotional wellbeing should be open to everyone, and shouldn't break the bank.

Through workshops, events, and community collaborations, Meg creates playful, relaxed experiences that focus on the joy of making, connection, and shared meaning. She also collaborates with other creatives and organisations to bring these experiences to the wider community.

With a Fine Art background and experience as a Therapy Assistant, Meg brings a people-focused approach to everything she does, while continuously learning and adapting to make her spaces as welcoming as possible.

@mindbodyandearth  | linktr.ee/mindbodyandearth   www.mindbodyandearth.co.uk

Always Flow

At the beginning of 2026, Naiya (Future Creative Leader at Lighthouse) launched AlwaysFlow, a fitness community in Brighton. Started as a run club, AlwaysFlow has evolved into a Brighton-wide network with activities spanning running, hiking, and Pilates. AlwaysFlow, at its core, is about confidence building, personal growth, and the different ways we can move our bodies.

Naiya is a local storyteller, community leader and FCL member. As an artist, he pushes the boundaries of Music and Storytelling. His debut project “LSS” (Long Story Short) marked a defining chapter in his career, offering listeners a deep dive into his world. Naiya is deeply inspired by his lived experience; he aims to inspire and inform through his own personal growth, discipline and self-belief.

@alwaysflow__  @thenameisnaiya

FACESOUL

Using art as a vehicle for healing, FACESOUL’s message is one with intent. Faisal Salah, known by his stage name ‘FACESOUL’ is a London-based artist born in East Africa. At 19, he began travelling the world, performing for different communities and sharing his story through his voice. These travels proved to be a formative step for his development as an artist, in which he discovered that these people, even with their apparent differences in race, language and environment, shared the same common internal emotions and feelings

@facesoul |  www.facesoul.lnk.to/MeditationsBali

Aghh! Zine

​Aghh! Zine is a zine created in the heart of Brighton and Hove, UK, by Nuria Castro and MNamug.

​We aim to create a safe space to discuss and investigate ourselves, society and subjects that are considered taboo or not mainstream. We also aim to give a platform for new voices and easy access to publishing opportunities with a focus on underrepresented communities.

​We run tailored workshops and have worked with Brighton Festival, The Hera Project, Wakehurst, Writing Our Legacy, The Coast Is Queer, and Together Co.

​@aghhzine on all platforms |  linktr.ee/aghhzine

Mind Body & Earth

Mind, Body and Earth is a way of bringing together art, movement, and nature to offer friendly and affordable opportunities for self-expression, reflection, and healing. Mind Body and Earth offers a range of experiences, including: Workshops & Events, Collaborations & Community and Projects & Initiatives. Mind Body and Earth is about building a supportive space where you can feel safe to explore your creativity, embrace the process (not perfection!), and discover the amazing connection between your mind, body, and the earth around you.

@mindbodyandearth  | linktr.ee/mindbodyandearth  www.mindbodyandearth.co.uk

Future Creative Leaders (FCL) is a 12-month paid programme offering young creatives from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to work closely with Lighthouse's leadership team to explore various aspects of creative leadership.

FCL redefines youth engagement by sharing power and resources directly with young people. This 12-month programme goes beyond access or participation. It places real influence, leadership, creative agency and decision-making power in the hands of those traditionally underrepresented in the creative industries.

Over the year, participants will co-curate programmes, select participants for mini-residencies, and recruit their successors, all while exploring alternative governance structures, accountability, and power-sharing.

FUNDERS

We're grateful to: ​​​Innovate UK, Chalk Cliff Trust, Sussex Community Foundation, and Enjoolata Foundation