The area is classified as significantly rural, with pockets of deprivation and social isolation due to lack of transport and inadequate access to services.

For a small fee that goes towards maintaining St Barbe, you can access the gallery and museum, with previous exhibitions such as 'Erie', 'Dinosaurs on your Doorstep' and 'Contemporary Cuts'.

Many exhibitions have had a national profile including Shorelines: Artists on the South Coast (2015) and Dazzle: Disruption and Disguise in War and Art (2018).

They are increasingly using their exhibitions to engage with specific audiences and deliver a programme for adults and older people which include: ‘Workshops and talks’, ‘Tea and Memories’ a chance for older residents to look at historic images, photographs and objects to share their memories and ‘Knit and Natter’ a social knitting group which often creates work associated with the exhibitions.

They work in partnership with heritage, arts and local community providers such as Hampshire Cultural Trust, FOLIO, Artswork, SPUD, New Forest National Park Authority, Lymington Community Association, Hampshire Art for Recreation and Therapy and the New Forest Heritage Centre, allowing them to draw on expertise, resources and networks.

With the aid of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, work began on creating the present museum displays and art galleries.