Artist Sally Southern has been appointed artist in residence for a community book-sharing project in Newcastle’s West End, which plans to put free bookshelves along local trails in Benwell, Scotswood and Denton Dene. The appointment was announced on 21 October 2026.
The project is delivered in partnership by Newcastle City Council’s Arts and Cultural Development Team, the registered charity Healthworks and New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC). NTWDC is the housing-led regeneration partnership of Newcastle City Council and the housebuilder Keepmoat behind The Rise in Scotswood, which has plans for 1,800 mixed-tenure homes in the west end of the city. Funding has been secured through the council’s Arts and Cultural Development budget; the amount was not given.
What the project will do
Initial proposals involve community bookshelves stocked with free books and resources, placed along trails that encourage people to explore the area. Residents will work with the artist to co-design and curate the shelves and the wayfinding signage, as well as a nature-based outdoor storytelling space.
The six-month residency will engage at least 500 residents from across the West End. Three sites have been identified for the first phase, in Benwell, Scotswood and Denton Dene.
Apprentices asked to build the shelves
The team behind the project has asked whether NTWDC’s young apprentices, who are training at the NHBC Hub close to The Rise, could be involved in building the bookshelves. Lee McGray of NTWDC said: “They will work with Sally Southern and the local community to bring the ideas to life, using materials they are familiar with.” More housing and regeneration news is in our property section.
Where the idea came from
The concept grew out of work by Lisa Conroy, Health Promotion Team Lead at Healthworks, encouraging local people to use Denton Burn Library and improving access to books for local children. NTWDC funded free library sessions for young people and their families, and a donation of books and resources from the National Literacy Trust allowed a small children’s library to open at Scotswood Village Nursery. NTWDC also supported Healthworks’ Book Fairies initiative, which left book bags around the community.
Lisa Conroy said: “I hope this new project will broaden the scope even more, providing books for all ages and covering a large area between Benwell and Denton Burn Library.”
The artist
Sally Southern is a North East artist, designer and community arts practitioner with more than 30 years’ experience of creative projects across the region. Trained in textile design and surface pattern, she has worked as a freelance artist since 1995.
She said: “Over the next few months, we’ll be actively involving local residents of all ages, from pre-school to the elderly, in a series of creative consultation sessions. I’ll be listening to their ideas, opinions and thoughts and I’m looking forward to co-creating the final artworks together, representing everyone involved.”
Councillor Rob Austin, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Youth Services at Newcastle City Council, said: “We’re delighted to have helped fund this fantastic community-led project which will help people connect with nature, reading and each other.”
Healthworks has worked across the North East for more than 30 years. Its recent impact report estimated that its community interventions could have saved the health and social care system over £56 million. More on the people behind Newcastle business is in our people section.