Meet Anne Condé, Community Engagement Manager & Coordinator

"I’m looking forward to working with the participants, facilitators, volunteers, and the local community to create something truly special here in North Somerset with Humanity Hotel. "

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to join Trigger? 

My name is Anne, I am originally from France but I moved to the UK to study contemporary theatre. I started my career in the arts, producing theatre and music in the UK and Europe. Over the past six years, I have worked with refugee and migrant communities across the south of England, managing projects for charities Migrateful and Groundwork. Those projects leveraged creativity and culture to bring confidence and wellbeing to asylum-seeking participants, and to build stronger and more compassionate communities.  

I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to join Trigger and the Humanity Hotel project as Community Engagement Manager and Coordinator. It feels like a unique opportunity to deliver truly innovative work that goes beyond crisis management to create lasting impact on the lives of asylum-seekers and refugees in North Somerset. It’s uplifting to see the possibilities offered by a creative organisation such as Trigger and local communities coming together to offer better sanctuary.    

 What places you well to deliver the Humanity Hotel project in North Somerset? 

I’m passionate about creating spaces where people feel valued and connected, and I am a strong believer in the transformative and cohesive power of the arts. 

My experience with similar projects in the South West has taught me a lot about listening to communities and building programmes that respond to their needs. The location of the Initial Accommodation centre, isolated in an area only accessible by car, presents real challenges for integration. North Somerset is vibrant with a strong network of charities, creative enthusiasm and locals with a desire to help. I’m looking forward to working with the group of participants, facilitators, volunteers, and the local community to create something truly special here in North Somerset with Humanity Hotel. 

You’re joining us at a time of growth and community development. What aspects of Humanity Hotel are you most excited about? 

I’m especially passionate about working in this context with asylum seekers because they’re such a vulnerable group—many have faced recent trauma, compounded by the challenges of the hostile environment. For me, this work is about more than just addressing immediate crises. It’s about treating people as full individuals, acknowledging their strengths and creativity, and building opportunities for them to connect with others and thrive. 

I love the idea of developing the programme in co-creation and of building community, not just within the accommodation centres but also by strengthening ties with the wider community. 

"It’s about treating people as full individuals, acknowledging their strengths and creativity, and building opportunities for them to connect with others and thrive."

With your extensive experience in community engagement, what’s your approach to building connections, especially in such a diverse environment? 

My approach centres on curiosity, active listening, and collaboration. It’s important to meet people where they are, understand their needs and aspirations, and create spaces where they feel safe and heard. In my previous work, I focused on building trust by involving community members in shaping the programs and ensuring cultural sensitivity. For Humanity Hotel, I’ll take a similar approach, working closely with residents, facilitators, and local groups to co-create experiences that resonate with the community and celebrate its strengths and diversity. 

What kinds of activities or opportunities can the community look forward to in the coming months? 

We are delivering a range of exciting workshops in Initial Accommodation centres on a weekly basis. These activities are all about giving people the chance to express themselves and connect with others in a welcoming space. Beyond that, we’re hoping to create opportunities to showcase what’s been created — maybe through exhibitions and performances — so that everyone involved can feel proud of what they’ve achieved, and North Somerset locals can get to know the group of residents through their positive contribution to the area.  

We will be organising cultural outings where refugee and asylum-seeking participants will get a chance to discover all North Somerset has to offer – artistic events, beautiful landscapes and cultural celebrations.  

I am particularly looking forward to the next FEASTING event which will take place in the spring – keep your eyes peeled if you are interested in joining us for a celebration of culture and community. 

We're always looking for local volunteers to support Humanity Hotel. To express your interest and find out more, get in touch with anne@triggerstuff.co.uk