Christmas - Create (Arts) Limited

JOY, BELONGING AND A BREAK FROM RESPONSIBILITY: WHAT CREATIVITY MEANS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Young people with disabilities taking part in a dance workshop as part of our community:matters programme. They are holding red and orange fabric in the air.

For many young people, the festive period isn’t just sparkle and celebration. Children in care, disabled young people and young carers often face additional pressures, from feelings of isolation to daily responsibilities far beyond their years.

At a time of year that celebrates family and joy, it can be easy to forget that not all children get the chance simply to be children. That’s why creative opportunities matter – not just at Christmas, but all year round.

Thanks to our supporters, we’re able to deliver high-quality creative programmes that offer marginalised children the freedom to explore, express and connect. In 2025, our programmes have supported nearly 1,000 children across the UK. Below, three participants reflect on what that experience has meant to them.

Feathers and fabric layered aroud flowers in the grass.

Confidence and connection for care-experienced young people

Emily* (16) took part in music workshops in Bolton through our:voices, a Create programme with children in care and care leavers. Working with our professional musician Matt Dunn, the group composed original music, played covers and built confidence together:

“I feel great. A lot more confident. Everyone’s very kind and we work well together. The project is really refreshing and it gets you out of the house. I feel brighter. [Being creative] is important because it really lets you open up as a person and you can become more positive.”

Having been in care for eight years, Emily shared how the project gave her a chance to connect with others who understand:

“Sometimes when you’re in care you can struggle to make friends because you can feel a bit down.”

“But [in projects like these] you meet other people” in your situation and you have a fun time with them.”
EMILY, OUR:VOICES participant

CREATIVE FREEDOM FOR YOUNG CARERS

Evelyn* (13) cares for her younger sister who has autism, a constant responsibility that leaves limited time for herself. Over three days in April 2025, our musician Filipe Sousa delivered inspired:arts music workshops with young carers at Bromley Well Young Carers Centre. Through the project, Evelyn had the chance to step away from those responsibilities and focus on creativity:

“We’ve made lots of songs and discovered different ways to make them. I’ve liked playing guitar and bass because they’re [my favourites] and working in a group to create an actual piece has been really enjoyable.

Young carers playing guitars and ukuleles as part of an inspired:arts music workshop.

Evelyn also reflected on the difficulties of being a young carer:

“Sometimes I have to be really careful what I say around [my sister] and I have to help her if she has a meltdown, especially if we’re not with our parents. I have to keep an extra eye out for her, especially because she’s younger than me. I always have her on my mind thinking, ‘is she okay?’

“Lots of young carers may not get the opportunity to do stuff like this.”

“These projects give them a chance to have something to focus on and they don’t have to worry about who they care for.”
EVELYN, INSPIRED:aRTS PARTICIPANT

Exploring expression for disabled young people

Jay* (25) took part in our community:matters programme at Brent Mencap, which supports disabled young people through inclusive, participant-led creative workshops. The programme empowers participants to build social and communication skills in safe, joyful environments.

Young people with disabilities taking part in a dance workshop as part of our community:matters programme.

During the project, Jay joined a three-day dance and visual storytelling workshop led by our professional dancer, Paul Smethhurst:

“We did the tent dance. And then we did some drawing [of our own islands]. I drew the beach. [I was] making textures and going to new places.”

For Jay, the opportunity to be part of a creative team helped build connection and confidence:

It made me feel happy and excited.
jay, community:matters PARTICIPANT

“It warmed up the body and made me feel full of energy. I enjoyed working in a team and meeting new people and seeing old friends. It makes me feel welcome.”

Why it matters – and how you can help

Creative arts offer young people the chance to express themselves, explore new ideas and build community. For those facing additional challenges – such as the responsibility of being a carer, the instability of the care system, or the exclusion that can come with disability – these opportunities can be life-changing.

This Christmas, you can help bring joy, confidence and connection to those who need it most.

Give the gift of creativity – not just for the holidays, but all year round.

Donate now to our Christmas campaign.

Thank you to John Lyon’s Charity and The National Lottery Community Fund for funding these projects.

*Names changed to protect anonymity.

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GIVING THE GIFT OF CREATIVITY: SUPPORTING ADULT CARERS AND ISOLATED OLDER ADULTS This CHRISTMAS

Older adults taking part in a creative writing art:links project.

For many people, Christmas is a time of connection, joy and celebration. But for adult carers and isolated older people, the festive season can be a stark reminder of the challenges they face every day.

At Create, we believe in the power of the creative arts to build confidence, ease isolation and provide moments of light in difficult times. Through our creative:voices and art:links programmes, we’re working year-round to bring creativity and connection to those who need it most.

We spoke to Jenn (78), an adult carer who took part in creative:voices, and Myrium (60+), an art:links participant, about the impact these projects had on them.

This Christmas, your support can help us reach even more people like Jenn and Myrium, giving them the gift of creativity – and a chance to feel seen, valued and heard.

Rediscovering Confidence and Joy Through Writing

Jenn, 78, recently took part in creative:voices, our national programme with adult carers. She attended a six-week creative writing project with Greenwich Carers, led by our professional writer Henry Maddicott. Living with chronic health conditions and caring for others, Jenn described how the years of responsibility had dimmed the spark of her creativity:

“Being a carer, you lose yourself. A greater part of you isn’t there anymore.”

Despite initial hesitation, Jenn found herself enjoying the freedom and lightness of creative writing:

“I wouldn’t have necessarily chosen creative writing for myself, but I thought I’d dip my toes in the water. I came along and found the experience very freeing and non-judgmental. All of my [previous] writing has been under exam rules and bit solemn. This was lighter and the pace of the facilitation was brilliant.

“Some of my mischief is coming back!”
Jenn , CREATIVE:VOICES participant

New beginnings, new connections

In Havering, Myrium* joined art:links, our creative programme for isolated older adults, for a creative writing project led by our writer Justin Coe. After recently relocating and feeling unsure about how to connect with others in a new area, the project was a space for Myrium to feel like part of a community:

“I’m new to living in Havering and I heard about Di’s Diamonds. I’ve only just joined, and I’ve not been on a creative writing course before, so this was something brand new to me. We were put at ease, and it could all be seen as fun, with no judgement.

“[The project] has felt very caring and nurturing. It has been a great opportunity to meet new people.”
Myrium, ART:LINKS PARTICIPANT

For Myrium, the workshops became more than a creative outlet: they were a space for empathy, healing and laughter. Each session offered a gentle invitation to share, reflect and be present.

“[Being creative] has felt like something that was missing for me in my life. Once I got to a certain age, I thought “maybe it’s too late [to be creative]”. But it’s great to get out there and encourage people who think they can’t do it.

“Slowing down and saying ‘I’m just going to give my interpretation’ [through writing] has been good. Acceptance is important for mental health. Different exercises brought up different things for people. It could be quite emotional, but I felt that Justin was looking out for us. It’s given me the freedom just to go with myself and what I feel, what’s coming up at that time. “

Adult carers taking part in a creative:voices creative writing project.

“I want to reassure anyone who thinks they can’t do it: allow yourself to [do it] and you will feel encouraged and safe.”

” I think we will be good friends.”
MOLLY, INSPIRED:ARTS PARTICIPANT

The reality of Christmas for many

While many people look forward to festive joy, Christmas can be one of the most difficult times of year for carers and isolated older adults. One in 10 people in England are unpaid carers, many of whom don’t get time off over the holidays: 77% of carers say they feel more isolated during the festive season. Meanwhile, nearly one million older people in the UK often feel lonely and 670,000 won’t speak to or see anyone on Christmas Day.

For people facing these realities, the connections and confidence our projects create can have a lasting impact. For isolated older adults and unpaid carers like Jenn and Myrium, discovering a creative outlet can be transformative, opening up new passions, friendships and communities that continue beyond the project.

For those who may face isolation, exhaustion or grief during the festive season, having people to turn to and creative practices to lean on can make all the difference.

Work created by adult carers in a creative writing creative:voices project.