Ageing Creatively - celebrating five years of creativity, connection and community across West Berkshire

After five remarkable years, our Ageing Creatively programme supported by the National Lottery Community Fund came to an end in May this year, having positively impacted thousands of lives and strengthened communities for the over 55s across West Berkshire.

From its beginning in 2021, we have seen the programme grow, giving opportunities to older adults. Now, over half a decade later the Ageing Creatively programme has engaged over 26,400 people and delivered over 2,800 individual sessions.

Ageing Creatively has delivered creative, hands on workshops, classes, residencies and community projects reaching people in libraries, care homes, villages halls, day centres, assisted living centres and in venues in the most rural corners of the county.

Many aspects of the programme have exceeded expectations. Afternoon Dance grew from five participants to eighteen, becoming a highlight of the month for many. Creative Club at Fair Close was fully booked every week, with participants proudly sharing their creations and became a permanent self-sustaining project after our year’s residency. Intergenerational projects like Making Music Making Friends and Words Together have brought joy to both children and care home residents. Memory Café and Touch to See have grown steadily, offering vital support to people living with dementia and visual impairment. The enthusiasm, confidence and friendships that have blossomed through these sessions are among the programme’s greatest achievements.

Participants have spoken openly about its impact with comments such as ‘It makes me leave my flat and speak to other people’, ‘I feel happier now’ and ‘We don’t just like it. We NEED it’. These are just a few of the amazing comments that highlight the programme’s significance.

Ageing Creatively has changed lives gently, creatively, and profoundly and its impact and its legacy will continue to ripple across West Berkshire for many years to come.