Adults 55+ Projects

Creative Projects across West Berkshire for anyone over 55

Alongside our courses and classes in the Learning Centre, our Ageing Creatively team currently deliver a variety of hands on creative projects in a range of locations across West Berkshire. Now in its’ forth year, the Ageing Creatively programme continues to work with local partners to improve the wellbeing and resilience of older communities and reflects our core belief that the arts offers something for everyone and should be accessible for all, regardless of age, location or income. 

Taking part in these activities on a regular basis promotes a good sense of wellbeing, helps to reduce isolation and, among those living with dementia, provides emotional connection and encourages a positive mood. The physical activities are aimed at improving participant’s physical health and levels of fitness.

Here is a snapshot of what’s going on locally:

World Crafts (free)
Conducted weekly at the Corn Exchange, these craft sessions are open to all at no cost. This multi-art and craft group celebrates traditions from around the world, and encourages anyone diverse audience, encouraging participants to share traditions from their home countries, fostering integration and a sense of community.

Memory Café (free)
These friendly sessions are designed to provide support for people living with Dementia, their carers and family members. They are a place to find support, share concerns, celebrate and take part in arts activities in a comfortable environment. All activities are led by a professional artist and are programmed with the aim to stimulate the brain and encourage conversation.

Home Artists - Mortimer and Lambourn (free – location specific) 
Take part in monthly creative projects from the comfort of your own home with our Home Artists project packs

Sketch & Stroll - Hungerford, Lambourn and Kintbury (free)
A pleasant and sociable, creative well-being walk in the countryside with Simon Jardine, Artist and Guided Walk Leader, with plenty of art hints and tips included. Suitable for everyone including participants with no art or drawing experience. We’ll walk, sketch some points of interest, then head back to the venue for tea and biscuits, and the opportunity to create a painting based on our adventure

Touch To See at The Base, Greenham (free)
A sociable discussion group for those with visual impairments. Join local artists or musicians to hear about their work followed by a guided session with an art, craft or music activity to take home.

Coffee+Click Camera Club – Podium Place, Newbury (free) 
Focussing on coffee, camaraderie, the joy of photography at Podium Place, these sessions are aimed at providing, men especially, a place to meet on a regular basis as well as working with a wonderful photography mentor. 

Our Song
A ten week singing intervention for Dementia Care Settings. Professional music leaders guide groups at their own pace, through a programme of workshops, which will include an introduction to percussion, rhythm work, pitch and tone, group singing, music making and recording.

Chair Dance
The chair dance classes are offered in care homes and community settings, accessible for anyone with limited mobility. A dance practitioner works with up to 10 people per group on a variety of dance based exercises once a week for an hour over 8 weeks to improve mobility, increase blood flow and promote general wellbeing.

Words Together
Working with a care facility and a local school, participants are supported by a poet to read and create poetry together which explores common themes between the two generations. We use imagery and sensory activities to stimulate conversation on themes selected by the poet. Participants will be supported to turn their own descriptive words into unique poetry. 

Making Music Making Friends
Monthly sessions connect a group of children aged between 3 and 5 with a group of older people who either live in a care setting or supported housing or who access a day centre. The group then participate together in fun music and singing sessions as one group.