Inspire celebrates 10 years of culture, learning and libraries across Nottinghamshire
This year sees Inspire mark a decade of running Nottinghamshire’s libraries on behalf of the county council.
Created by the council in 2016, Inspire was established to bring together libraries, adult and community learning, music, culture, heritage, and youth arts under one innovative organisation
Ten years on, it has grown into a nationally recognised service, delivering thousands of events, courses and activities each year and supporting residents of all ages to read, learn, create and connect.
Over the past ten years, Inspire has:
- Modernised and refurbished 16 libraries across the county, including Mansfield, Sutton, Kirkby, Hucknall, Bulwell, Worksop, Eastwood and Kimberley.
- Delivered more than 300 events, exhibitions, talks and courses each week, many free of charge
- Supported thousands of young people through Inspire College, with English and maths results consistently above national averages
- ·Expanded adult learning with two ‘Good’ Ofsted ratings, new district‑wide provision, and major programmes including Multiply and ESOL for Ukrainian and Hong Kong British communities
- Placed Nottinghamshire on the national stage through projects such as the Able Orchestra, National Youth Choir involvement, and commissions with the Imperial War Museum
- Strengthened its volunteering offer through the Community Makers programme, increasing community involvement in local libraries
- Achieved Library Development Framework accreditation from Arts Council England in 2026.
To celebrate the milestone, Inspire has released its top 20 moment — a collection of achievements from 2016 to 2026, including its first refurbished library and new website launch, the expansion of learning centres, national awards, major cultural commissions, and landmark projects delivered across the county.
They can be viewed at inspireculture.org.uk/be-inspired/inspires-10th-birthday/peters-top-20-moments-of-the-last-decade/
Peter Gaw, Inspire chief executive, said: “Reaching our 10th birthday is a proud moment for Inspire and for Nottinghamshire.
“Over the past decade, we have grown into a dynamic, creative and inclusive organisation that delivers real impact in the communities we serve.
“Our staff, volunteers, partners and members are at the heart of everything we do, and their commitment has made this milestone possible.
“From libraries and learning to culture, music and heritage, Inspire has helped people read, learn, create and connect in ways that enrich lives.
“The next decade brings huge potential — and we’re excited to build on this success and reach even more people and places.
“As Inspire looks to the future in the context of local government reorganisation in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, there is an enormous opportunity to build on this successful model and ensure their impact reaches even more people and places.”
To that end, Inspire has published it’s Forward Plan 2026-28 - which can be viewed at inspireculture.org.uk/about-us/inspire-forward-plan-2026-28/ - which highlights priorities, outcomes and enabling work needed to further develop its cultural and learning model which is widely recognised as sustainable, community‑focused and innovative.