Meet two Scottish-based multicultural groups who are finding strength in numbers Read more
What winning a Creative Lives Award meant for a community group from Scotland. Read more
Find out about this fascinating organisation that's passionate about traditional craft skills. Read more
Hear how a Doncaster crochet group grew from 8 to 108 by offering a vital connection Read more
The mission of Creative Lives is to build creative communities, and as part of that we work to bring local stories of creativity to a wider public audience. Local creative groups - by which we mean not-for-profit, volunteer-led groups whose creative activities are shaped and directed by the people who take part in them - naturally create a range of benefits for individual participants and for their communities. These benefits include increasing confidence, skills, and wellbeing; strengthening mental health, community cohesion, and social connections; and fostering civic action, pride, and identity.
The impact of local creative groups is wider than the cultural activity they generate, but these groups can also find it challenging to make their voices heard. Our ongoing collection of stories of creativity from local creative groups across the UK and Ireland is one of the ways we're working to amplify those voices.
Learn more about this exciting project along Britain's coastline Read more
We speak to two community artists about how can drawing can help us be more mindful and relaxed Read more
How a Reading art group uses the shop to spread joy in their community Read more
Find out how our small grants in Scotland are helping local creative groups Read more
A wonderful display of work by amateur and semi-professional artists from across Scotland Read more
How a county-wide knitting challenge helped Nottinghamshire people living with dementia. Read more
Amateur ukulele players aged 55+ sharing the joy of playing together at St Radigunds Community Centre in Dover Read more
Powerful community project telling the stories behind Easington Welfare Centre, County Durham Read more
Inspiring stories and quick creative activities to boost your wellbeing, reduce stress and improve your mental health Read more
Learn how art and drama can help give people a safe space to share their experiences Read more
Learn how collaborative projects of arts and culture revitalised the local community of Barton Hill Read more
Discover an amateur acoustic music club that has been meeting regularly for over 20 years Read more
Find out how this Bristol-based music class transitioned into a self-led group Read more
An independent community centre in Lewisham, South East London Read more
Award-winning community-run pub in East Brighton Read more
How a pub in Fishponds became a catalyst for local creativity Read more
A well-established public house in central Dover that hosts music and comedy nights as well as regular creative groups Read more
How a cash-free win-win partnership spawned a new home for creativity in Coventry Read more
Story of award-winning community-owned pub in Stoke Canon that runs creative activities Read more
Cinema and community art space in Stokes Croft in Bristol Read more
Read how the Arbroath-based drama group used a microgrant from Creative Lives to get back on stage. Read more
The story behind Folkestone-based arts & crafts group for the local trans community Read more
Cheshire West and Chester Reopening and Recovery Programme for rural areas and local communities Read more
Gareth Coles shares his passion for putting pen (and water) to paper Read more
Innovative example of turning the disused Fleetwood hospital into a gallery to showcase local people's creativity Read more
Nurturing aspiring theatre artists in rural Scotland Read more
An inspiring space for children and families to get creative Read more
Meet the 10 projects supported to develop creativity outdoors Read more
How a group of students and staff in Canterbury built a community around creativity Read more
Charlotte Rosevear shares her top tips for giving your clothes a boost! Read more
How a blended approach of on and offline brought women together during the pandemic Read more
An LGBT+ choir in Edinburgh that moved online during the pandemic and made new connections Read more
Highlands & Islands music group that proved a lifeline for young people during the pandemic Read more
Scottish youth group that found new and improved ways of working Read more
Helensburgh-based project that helped people connect and create outdoors Read more
Integrated dance group that shaped a new online programme during the pandemic Read more
Marion Cheung shares her love for mixed media Read more
Arts project addressing isolation among Welsh speakers in North Wales Read more
Damien McGlynn shares how he combined his twin passions of live music and photography Read more
Circus programme for young refugees in the Greek capital Read more
Highlights from Creative Lives’ microgrant scheme in Kent supported by Kent Community Foundation and Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust Read more
Participatory arts project in West Wales Read more
Taking your creativity into the great outdoors Read more
Sally Reay shares her re-found passion for sewing Read more
A photography exhibition to mark the New Year Read more
Find out what it's like to create stop-motion animation Read more