About Us
Ferry Boat Arts CIC
Ferry Boat Arts CIC provides inclusive, creative experiences that support the wellbeing of children and the wider community of Neath Port Talbot and Swansea. Established in 2023, and becoming a Community Interest Company in 2025, we now operate from an outdoor studio and play area, offering art and nature-based workshops for both children and adults.
We believe every child and adult has the right to access good quality, affordable art, to enable self expression and enhance wellbeing.
We are a non profit, community interest company, committed to our policy, legislation and advice through Welsh Government and Business Wales regarding sustainability, the Welsh Language, inclusion and equality.
We are raising money for equipment, if you can help with a donation
Summer Holiday workshops
Booking now open!
Workshops
We specialise in running workshops for both adults and children, from our forest arts studio.
We offer a range of services of which you can find details of below.
For an up to date list of workshops, click the link above or the workshop page.
Our Aims
We had a unused plot of land to the side of our property that was unused and very over grown.
We spent a year creating a wooded area where we could run our Art School. We operate our Art school on a Forest school ethos, but what does this actually mean.
We introduce nature and our surroundings into our art work and into our ethos. We create habitats and spaces for nature to thrive and for children to explore and encourage a long term relationship with nature and the environment.
Our aims for our participants is to promote confidence, creativity, imagination, language skills, lifelong skills, wellbeing and motivation. Our classes are inclusive and holistically aimed with the learner in mind and can be adapted to suit the developmental stage, likes and interests of the participant.
We monitor sustainability and the ecological impact we have on the environment by using natural resources and materials where possible.
We are able to provide an indoor learning space, covered classroom and the wooded area.
Coming soon, we will have a sensory shed to provide a therapeutic approach to wellbeing.
Our Services - Ein Gwasanaethau
Workshops
Ferry Boat Arts delivers engaging and inclusive art workshops for both children and adults. Workshops provide opportunities to explore a range of materials and artistic skills. Workshops are designed to be accessible people of all abilities and to provide learning and participation in a supportive environment.
Community Workshops
Ferry Boat Arts delivers engaging and inclusive art workshops for both children and adults. Workshops provide opportunities to explore a range of materials and artistic skills. Workshops are designed to be accessible people of all abilities and to provide learning and participation in a supportive environment.
If you run a community group and would like to work with me, please drop me a message.
1:1 classes
Ferry Boat Arts delivers tailored 1:1 creative art sessions designed to meets a participants needs and interests. These personalised sessions provide a safe supportive and inclusive environment where participants can develop creative skills, confidence, wellbeing and self expression through a range of art based activities.
Art Club
Ferry Boat Arts offers a weekly creative programme that provides children aged 6+ yrs opportunities to explore a range of artistic techniques, materials and creative processes in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Sensory Shed
The sensory shed provides a calm, nurturing and accessible space where children can engage in sensory based activities to support wellbeing, emotional regulation, and relaxation.
Holiday Workshops
Ferry Boat Arts delivers engaging and inclusive art workshops for both children throughout school holidays. Workshops provide opportunities to explore a range of materials and artistic skills. Workshops are designed to be accessible people of all abilities and to provide learning and participation in a supportive environment.
Workshops often have an age limit, so please check before booking.
Birthday Parties
Ferry Boat Arts provides unique, creative birthday party experiences. You can choose between a muddy makers set up, for up to 15 children or an creative workshop, for up to 10 children.
Parties are tailored to the interests and age of the child.
Muddy Makers
Muddy makers is a child led, nature based creative play session that encourages children to explore, create and learn through hands on experiences in the outdoors.
Creative support programme
Ferry Boat Arts provides a 6 week support programme. The sessions are designed to support your child holistically through creative activities and therapeutic approaches to improve wellbeing , confidence and communication skills in a safe supportive environment.
We are based in Briton Ferry
Service Area
Port Talbot
Neath
Swansea
Gower
Bridgend
South Wales
Ferry Boat Arts CIC is based in the old Ferry Boat Inn, which backs on to the River Neath. The Ferry Boat Inn was at the heart of the community back in its day, and although this is now our home, this is the ethos we carry forward. The name 'Ferry Boat' is because it is where the ferry boat ran before the bridge was built in the 1950's. The Inn stood from the 1800's to 1990's It has also been a hostel and children's home in the past.
For more information and photos click the link below.
Am ragor o wybodaeth a lluniau, cliciwch ar y ddolen isod.
An image of the ferry boat carrying passengers in the 1800's.
This is an early image of when it was ran as a public house in the 1800's.
An image of the Boat House, yacht club and the M4 crossing.
An image of the ferry boat carrying passengers in the 1800's.
Ferry Boat House History 1700's - 2024