The Old School House

The Old School House We're a Boscombe based non-profit dedicated to supporting arts career growth and providing creative activities for our diverse community.

In our heritage building, you’ll find workshops, artist studios, space hire and more. TOSH offers the best facilities for the creative sector; spacious co-working pods, hot desking, free parking, private meeting spaces and of course, great coffee! We provide the right mix of creativity and ambience to help you start up and grow your creative business. Just around the corner are the best beaches an

d local independent shops where you will find a host of cafes, bars and eateries - everything you need for a bite to eat, shopping or just a break from work. TOSH is located in a beautiful Victorian building, originally built as a school which was opened in 1878 by Sir Percy Florence Shelley son of Mary Shelley, the famous novelist and author of Frankenstein. As the school moved to larger premises, the building became the award-winning Bournemouth Drama Centre, where former pupils included choirmaster and broadcaster, Gareth Malone and fashion designer Graham Fraser. The building still retains its magnificent open timber-framed ceilings and grand fireplaces which are now complemented with a stylish, contemporary interior, providing comfortable and relaxed co-working spaces, meeting rooms and the larger Assembly Hall available for hire. Contact us to arrange a visit or book a free trial!

Refugee Week 2026 with “Threads”, Seeking Refuge ProjectSeeking Refuge is a creative, collaborative project sharing the ...
15/06/2026

Refugee Week 2026 with “Threads”, Seeking Refuge Project

Seeking Refuge is a creative, collaborative project sharing the voices of people who have been forced to flee their homes. Founded by Caroline Beale Johnson, this ongoing project works with refugees and people seeking asylum in Bournemouth through creative workshops.

Meeting and making every Thursday at TOSH is Seeking Refuge's Threads group - an international women's collective.

Throughout the year, the group explore collaborative long-term projects as well as peer led activities, exploring creative ideas together and sharing unique textiles skills.

This year, the group have been working towards a collaborative wall-hanging piece centred around the theme of ‘Home’.

This Thursday 18th June, we’re inviting you to join Threads for an open embroidery workshop, led by artist Mahtab Grimshaw. Visit the ‘Home’ wall-hanging, enjoy some sewing, and chat with the international women of Threads.

Thurs 18th June, 11am-1pm
All free, all welcome. No experience necessary

Find out more about the project: toshspace.co.uk/community/seeking-refuge-project
Workshop RSVP: toshspace.co.uk/events

Refugee Week

Community Garden Celebration at TOSH Boscombe, Sunday 5th July 🌳Join us for our annual celebration in the Orchard Garden...
10/06/2026

Community Garden Celebration at TOSH Boscombe, Sunday 5th July 🌳

Join us for our annual celebration in the Orchard Garden at TOSH! Gather with our diverse Boscombe community to enjoy arts activities, creative writing, live music and refreshments.

Sun 5th July, 2pm-4pm
All free, all welcome

- Discover the Orchard Garden and meet community members who care for the space
- Explore textiles with artist , and creative writing with Neil from the
- Enjoy a performance from our community music group with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
- Experience pieces of writing by members of The Outsiders Project
- See and explore 'Home', a collaborative wall-hanging piece produced by the international women of the Threads group

Find out more & RSVP via the link in our bio, or here: toshspace.co.uk/events/tosh-community-garden-celebration

Join The Outsiders Project for Pride Month - June 2026 🏳️‍🌈TOP writers and performers, Allie and Charlie, run weekly LGB...
08/06/2026

Join The Outsiders Project for Pride Month - June 2026 🏳️‍🌈

TOP writers and performers, Allie and Charlie, run weekly LGBT+ writing workshops on Wednesdays, 5pm-7pm, at TOSH 🖊️📔

These sessions offer a safe and sober space for people within the LGBT+ community to come together to explore creative writing prompts, with no pressure or expectations.

TOP workshops are run by trained outsider artists and are free to attend for those that meet our criteria of people who have been sidelined from society.

Find out more: toshspace.co.uk/community/the-outsiders-project
Explore workshops: toshspace.co.uk/events

Arts & Community at TOSH Boscombe this JuneHere's a roundup of our diverse mix of creative and community activity this m...
03/06/2026

Arts & Community at TOSH Boscombe this June

Here's a roundup of our diverse mix of creative and community activity this month. Come along to try something new, and support some local facilitators / non-profit orgs!

Book all events via the link in our bio or here: toshspace.co.uk/events

Lead image: TOSH Community Garden Celebration 2025 - taking place again on 5th July 2026!

What’s on at TOSH this June 🌞Arts career support at TOSH, with Open School Creative:• DYCP 1-1 Application Reviews, with...
02/06/2026

What’s on at TOSH this June 🌞

Arts career support at TOSH, with Open School Creative:
• DYCP 1-1 Application Reviews, with Becca and Carol | Thurs 18th & Fri 19th June, 45min review, £5

TOSH programmes and partnerships:
• Community Fridays, facilitated by Claire
• Creative Writing with The Outsiders Project
• Music with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
• Make Art with Outside In
• Textiles with Threads, Seeking Refuge Project

Running in our hire spaces, we've got:
• Community Movers with Rachael of C*C
• Bike Tool Library with New Forest Off Road Club
• Art workshops for women, with Footprints Project
• Arts & Crafts for adults with learning disabilities, with ArtsAble
• Life Drawing with Dog Drawing Room
• 'Yes I Can' crafts with Claire
• M/Others Who Make with Cora & Emilie
• Meet & Make with Jasmine
• Collage & Journal Club with Colle
• Life Drawing with Wendy
• Ancient Drumming Circle with Babita
• Pilates with Debbie
• Kirtan with Oulani, Raven and Friends
• Immersive Sound Journeys with Robin
• Meditation with Gabrielle, of Dorset Heartfulness
• Sound Bath with Kamila

Book all of the above via EVENTS - link in our bio - or via toshspace.co.uk/events

Image credits
Lead image - artwork by

Sit down with the international women of the 'Threads' group, and see their latest exhibition piece, 'Home'. In line wi...
25/05/2026

Sit down with the international women of the 'Threads' group, and see their latest exhibition piece, 'Home'. In line with Refugee Week 🌎

Thurs 18th June, 11am-1pm
Free to attend

Enjoy an open textiles workshop facilitated by local artists, and chat with the women about their new collaborative wall-hanging piece exhibited at TOSH, centred around 'Home'.

Workshop facilitated by
Event in line with
Seeking Refuge Project founded by

Open to all, no experience necessary, all materials provided.

Find out more and sign up via the link in our bio, or here: toshspace.co.uk/events

Creativity & Wellbeing Week 2026 at TOSHAs we reach the mid-point of this year's Creativity & Wellbeing Week, we're refl...
20/05/2026

Creativity & Wellbeing Week 2026 at TOSH

As we reach the mid-point of this year's Creativity & Wellbeing Week, we're reflecting on the impact of our creative health projects at TOSH by sharing some words from our group attendees!

Creative activities with Community Fridays 🧶 Fridays, 3pm-5pm

"I get new creative ideas, try new things, and meet people I wouldn’t normally meet. I explore different ideas and consider other people’s needs."

Creative Writing with ✍️ Mon 11am-12.30pm, Tues 6pm-8pm, Weds 5pm-7pm

"Writing is like therapy. You can pour emotions out. Everyone is vulnerable when reading and there’s a real unity in that... And it’s part of my routine to turn up to workshops. It gives me purpose."

Refugee Women's textiles with Threads, 🧵 Thursdays, 11am-1pm

"The best thing has been that this group has made me feel welcomed in this country."

"Thursdays have become my favourite day, I like to get together to learn new skills and make friends."

All of our sessions are set up to support mental health and combat isolation. Free to attend for those who meet our group criteria*
Sign up via email: [email protected]

*Find out more: toshspace.co.uk/community


Crit Nights with Open School Creative at TOSHThese relaxed evenings are a space for local artists to share artwork / pro...
19/05/2026

Crit Nights with Open School Creative at TOSH

These relaxed evenings are a space for local artists to share artwork / projects, exchanging ideas and feedback in a supportive environment 🌟

Yet to come along? Join us for our next session, hosted by artist Dhanraz Ramdharry on Thurs 28th May, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Share some WIP, or just come along for some inspiration & creative chat!

Book via the link in our bio, or go to: www.toshspace.co.uk/events

In line with Mental Health Awareness Week, we're sharing some of our community programmes here at TOSH, BoscombeCommunit...
13/05/2026

In line with Mental Health Awareness Week, we're sharing some of our community programmes here at TOSH, Boscombe

Community Fridays 🧶 Fridays, 3pm-5pm
These welcoming, artist-led community workshops are here for those who could use some company and creative activity in their week. Enjoy creative projects before heading over to the .boscombe for a home-cooked meal

Community Music with 🎻 Tuesdays, 3.30pm-5.30pm
Join BSO Associate Sam Mason and Ed Lee to listen to, create and play music alongside other people in a safe and supportive environment. No musical experience needed.

The Orchard Garden - our wildflower space at TOSH
TOG offers regular volunteering opportunities, and provides a green space for our wonderful annual community celebration here at TOSH...

Save the date - Community Garden Celebration | Sun 5th July, 2pm-4pm
More details to come...

All community workshops are set up to support mental health and combat isolation. Sessions are free to attend - sign up via email: [email protected]

Find out more: toshspace.co.uk/community


Mental Health Foundation


Image credits:
1, 2, 5
3 -

Works in progress from our international women's 'Threads' group 🪡🧵The weekly Threads group, as part of the Seeking Refu...
06/05/2026

Works in progress from our international women's 'Threads' group 🪡🧵

The weekly Threads group, as part of the Seeking Refuge Project, are working towards a new collaborative piece, centred around the theme of 'Home'.

Coming together as a textile-based wall hanging, the piece will be exhibited as part of Refugee Week here at TOSH, where we also be offering the opportunity to sit down with the group in an open workshop 🧶

Save the date: Thursday 18th June, 11am-1pm
Discover Thread's latest exhibition piece 'Home', and get to know the people behind the project 💫

More details coming soon!
Find out more about Seeking Refuge Project via www.toshspace.co.uk/community/seeking-refuge-project


Sessions facilitated by
Project founded by

Address

The Old School House, Gladstone Road
Boscombe
BH76BG

Telephone

+44 1202 302659

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