Big smiles! We’re finalists in national charity film award
A brilliant film, which brings to life the work we do with our wonderful artists, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2026 (The Smileys). We’re one of 14 finalists in our category, with our powerful short film, called ‘See Our Art, Hear Our Voice’ which you can watch below.
Finalists in these prestigious awards, which shine a spotlight on the charities and organisations whose stories have captured hearts, sparked laughter, and inspired change in the past year, are selected based on the highest number of public votes. Our film ‘See Our Art, Hear Our Voice’, was funded by Hammersmith United Charities and created by talented filmaker Chris Payne from Constellation Films. It helps bring to like the work of This New Ground at our West London hub.
The film follows TNG artists Kelly and Labake, offering an intimate insight into their worlds and artistic processes. Through their voices, creativity, and lived experience, the film captures the heart of what This New Ground does and the real difference our work makes to the lives of adults with a learning disability. The judges are now deliberating which films should win, with winners being announced on 29 April.
Vote for us now in the Peoples’ Choice Award!
As well as being finalists in the Under £100,000 (turnover) category, This New Ground also still has a chance to win the Peoples’ Choice Award, with the winner decided on the highest number of public votes. The winner of each category, including the Peoples’ Choice Award, wins £3,000 of prize funding to help support the ongoing work of their organisatiion. Lucy Groenewoud, co-director of This New Ground, who runs our London hub whose artists features in the film, says:
“We’re so excited to be finalists and so thrilled that so many people voted for our new film which really captures the heart of what TNG does in helping to elevate the voices and talents of artists with a learning disability.”
She adds:
“It would be absolutely amazing to win these awards, and the prize funding would make a huge difference to supporting the ongoing work we do with our amazing artists.”
Voting for the awards closes on Thursday, 23 April. You can vote for our film here:
See our Art, Hear Our Voice | Smiley Charity Film Awards
‘Support would mean the world’
Labake Anisere an artist, composer and musician, who leads the TNG singing group and who features in the film says:
“It’s our wonderful supporters that helped us get to the final with our wonderful film now being judged by a panel of experts. It would mean the world to all the TNG artists if people could show their support again and vote for us to win the Peoples’ Choice Award.”
Our ’See Our Art, Hear Our Voice’ film is to be featured at a special film screening event, organised by Hammersmith United Charities, in collaboration with Media Trust, at Riverside Studios on 17 March. Our film will be showcased alongside the films of other groups supported by Hammersmith United Charities – Barons Court Project, Nourish Hub, Sulgrave Club and Hikayetna. TNG’s Lucy says:
“We are so thankful to Hammersmith United Charites for giving us the opportunity for our powerful film to be made and are looking forward to this exciting film screening event.”
Artwork gifted to sheltered housing in Hammersmith
As a thank you to Hammersmith United Charities for supporting our film, artwork created by artists from our Hammersmith & Fulham studio, is being gifted to display in communal areas at its sheltered housing in Hammersmith.