meet helen, an art:links participant from westminster
Research conducted by the National Institute on Aging found that involvement in creative activities among older adults correlates with a range of positive outcomes, including improved cognitive function, memory, self-esteem, reduced stress levels, and increased social interaction.
art:links is Create’s creative arts programme for vulnerable older people, enabling them to express themselves, connect with others, build skills and enhance their overall wellbeing.
Between January and March 2024, older adults who attend Age UK Westminster took part in a visual art project led by Create artist Sam Haynes.
Helen shared her experiences.
LEARNING NEW SKILLS
“[The project] has introduced me to new skills I didn’t have. I’m not a creative person, so I came to learn and it’s been fascinating. I love seeing new things and how to create things, so it’s widened my knowledge.
It was very inspirational. It opened my own mind to different things, which I think is so important.
HELEN
“You can get very stuck in your ways, and very closed in, but I think in this stage of life you still want to learn things and it’s lovely to learn new skills.
meeting new people
“I love meeting new people. Just as much as I’ve learnt from the team here, I’ve also learnt from the other people taking part. I really enjoyed that. I tried to sit next to different people, because you engage with them and you watch how they approach art, and that’s where you learn. Art is very much open to interpretation, and we all have a different slant. There are quite a number of very local people that I now pass in the street and we engage in conversation, so it’s quite inclusive.
It’s just been so lovely seeing all the different artistic flairs.
helen
“I haven’t had the best of health in the last six months, and I found that living at home on my own, it’s been nice to re-engage with people. And the decoupage is something I know I will continue with at home. I’ve already bought the glues and paints.
This project was supported in London by The Charity of Sir Richard Whittington (via The Mercers’ Company) and City Bridge Foundation.