Creative Conversations
Programme details
Wiltshire Music Centre
Wiltshire Music Centre Ashley Road Bradford-on-Avon UK
01225 860 100
Find Out MoreOngoing
One to one and group conversations for housebound and isolated older people.
Creative Conversations is a wellbeing project for older people who have/used to have a creative interest. The project aims to re-engage and inspire participants to develop their creative pursuits and to help and support them to improve or maintain their wellbeing through creative activity and social engagement.
The artist visits the older person in their home every week or on alternate weeks for a conversation which lasts around one hour, focusing on their creative interests. The purpose is to reignite and invigorate each person’s exploration of creative pursuits to improve or maintain their mental wellbeing. Each participant receives five sessions.
The group sessions are held in local community venues and can accommodate up to 12 participants. These groups are an opportunity to meet other like minded older people in a group setting to make new friends, share interests and experiences and enjoy time together.
The content of the conversations are led by the participants. Examples of topics introduced by the participants during conversations are singing, knitting, poetry, literature, creative writing, autobiographical writing, theatre, card-making, gardening, painting, local history, and social history.
Some participants produce creative outputs such as illustrated cards, poetry, and artwork, others just focus on the conversations.
This is really helping me remember and I am less hesitant with speaking, following the stroke, when I read with you ... Being on my own, I don't talk with anybody much and miss this.
Individual Trowbridge Creative Conversation participant
There are 2 strands to which people can be referred
An assigned artist delivers 5 weeks of ‘Creative Conversations’ to support isolated older people who are feeling particularly lonely due to mobility issues and lack of activity.
A group, involving a set of up to 10 sessions for up to 12 older adults to come together in a discussion group to develop their creative ideas, passions or previous hobbies and interests in a safe and professionally facilitated way.
These groups can be mixed or men only.
Take Part - Individual
Refer an isolated older person (this could be yourself) who you think would benefit from creative conversations.
Individual referral form
A song written by members of the Men's Creative Conversation Group
Six participants from the Melksham men's Creative Conversation group who attended a music session at Melksham Library have written a powerful song about their thoughts on life as an older person. The song, entitled ‘The Grey People’ was written with the help of local musician Bob Heath who facilitated the session.
You mustn't underestimate the impact of these sessions with me, my health is deteriorating, and I can't get out and about much, but you have spurred me on to think and made me feel special and introduced me to so…
Individual Salisbury Creative Conversation participant
