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  1. About
  2. What We Do

What we do

Creative Lives is a registered charity that was established in 1991.

We champion community and volunteer-led creative activity, and work to improve opportunities for everyone to be creative. In particular, we celebrate and promote people expressing themselves creatively with others, recognising the benefits this can bring. Watch this short video to learn more.






We know that creative expression in all its forms is a fundamental part of being human, but that individuals and communities need opportunities and support for creativity to flourish. We also know that people coming together to create, have fun, share experiences and support each other can have a positive impact on both their physical and emotional wellbeing.

To that end, Creative Lives works with communities, organisations, policy-makers, funders and creative individuals as a voice for positive change, to improve and expand the landscape in which creative participation can take place. We work to address inequalities in access to creative participation, promote inclusivity, connect people and communities, and seek to increase awareness of the links between creativity and wellbeing.

We do this on a local and national level through advocacy, development and celebrating the activities of creative people, groups and places through the Creative Lives Awards, Creative Lives On Air, Get Creative Festival, our Creative Networks and Creative Learning sessions and a diverse range of creative projects.

We have teams based across the UK and Ireland, and are funded by Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Ireland, Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Wales.

If you'd like to find out more about any of the above, you can reach us at [email protected]

Creative Community Boxes

Creative Community Boxes

A new project providing arts and crafts materials in community venues in Cardiff. Read more

Published: 12th January, 2023

Author: Gareth Coles

The Difference We Make - Annual Report 2021-22

The Difference We Make - Annual Report 2021-22

A report highlighting some of our activities from the year 2021-22. Read more

Published: 5th August, 2022

Author: Gareth Coles

Craft resources for self-led groups

Craft resources for self-led groups

Recommended affordable and accessible craft activities for self-led craft groups. Read more

Published: 25th July, 2022

Author: Sally Reay

Our track record

Our track record

Overview of our work, including policy and research, radio programmes, UK and Ireland-wide awards, funding schemes and more. Read more

Published: 16th June, 2022

Updated: 17th June, 2022

Author: Andreea Lupu

Gateways into creative activity

Gateways into creative activity

A series of worksheets and prompts for people who want to try their hand at a creative activity. Read more

Published: 10th May, 2022

Updated: 23rd January, 2023

Author: Gareth Coles

Cardiff Museum Drawing Group booklet

Cardiff Museum Drawing Group booklet

A selection of artwork created by members of the Cardiff Museum Drawing Group. Read more

Published: 11th March, 2022

Updated: 16th August, 2022

Author: Gareth Coles

Our international work as part of Amateo

Our international work as part of Amateo

With a shared mission to support and promote people’s active engagement with creative activities, we have been building exchange-based collaborations with peer organisations across Europe. Read more

Published: 21st December, 2021

Updated: 22nd December, 2021

Author: Andreea Lupu

Dancing Shoes

Dancing Shoes

Community dance project in Edenderry, Co. Offaly, funded by the St. Patrick's Festival & TikTok Creative Fund Read more

Published: 30th November, 2021

Author: Damien McGlynn

The Difference We Make - Annual Report 2020-21

The Difference We Make - Annual Report 2020-21

A report highlighted some of our activities from the year 2020-21. Read more

Published: 8th November, 2021

Updated: 11th March, 2022

Author: Gareth Coles

Unearthing Creativity

Unearthing Creativity

An overview of a collaborative arts project in Wales. Read more

Published: 1st October, 2021

Updated: 10th May, 2022

Author: Gareth Coles

Creative Lives - Policy Statement

Creative Lives - Policy Statement

A policy statement issued by Creative Lives in June 2021. Read more

Published: 17th June, 2021

Author: Gareth Coles

We are 30!

We are 30!

A look back at three decades of creative participation Read more

Published: 6th June, 2021

Updated: 23rd February, 2022

Author: Andreea Lupu

Creative Citizens

Creative Citizens

Our tailored package to help local authorities engage with their creative community Read more

Published: 1st June, 2021

Updated: 25th January, 2023

Author: Andreea Lupu

Art Unlocked

Art Unlocked

A year of creativity from members of Get Drawing Whitchurch, 2020-21. Read more

Published: 20th May, 2021

Updated: 16th August, 2022

Author: Gareth Coles

My Creative Time

My Creative Time

An overview of a project in Wales exploring creative activity through poetry. Read more

Published: 24th August, 2020

Updated: 16th August, 2022

Author: Gareth Coles

Creative Network

Creative Network

Make new connections at our series of friendly online get-togethers. All welcome! Read more

Published: 13th July, 2020

Updated: 25th January, 2023

Author: Damien McGlynn

Mouth of the River - A song to celebrate the Water of Leith

Mouth of the River - A song to celebrate the Water of Leith

A song for Edinburgh's choirs Read more

Published: 1st June, 2020

Updated: 19th June, 2022

Author: Kelly Donaldson

#LoveToDraw Ireland

#LoveToDraw Ireland

A participatory drawing project delivered in partnership with organisations around Ireland during the pandemic Read more

Published: 21st May, 2020

Updated: 25th January, 2022

Author: Voluntary Arts

MAKING SPACE

MAKING SPACE

The artists behind the MAKING SPACE project tell us about moving the project from a shopping centre in Lisburn to online activities Read more

Published: 23rd April, 2020

Author: Damien McGlynn

Exit 15 Microfund projects

Exit 15 Microfund projects

The Exit 15 Microfund is a friendly little fund to help community groups put on new events and activities in the Ballyogan area. Find out more about the projects Read more

Published: 31st May, 2018

Updated: 7th June, 2018

Author: Mairead McCormack

BRIDGING

BRIDGING

Information about the two-year European project exploring how co-creative activities help to bridge social divides Read more

Published: 4th September, 2017

Updated: 28th May, 2019

Author: Damien McGlynn

My Time - Poetry inspired by creativity

My Time - Poetry inspired by creativity

Poetry project explores how being creative makes us feel. Read more

Published: 27th April, 2017

Updated: 8th January, 2020

Author: Kelly Donaldson

Grow Your Own Cinema

Grow Your Own Cinema

Thinking about setting up your own community cinema? With the help of Cinema For All we've gathered together lots of useful information to help you get started. Read more

Published: 5th December, 2016

Updated: 9th May, 2022

Author: Damien McGlynn

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Showing 10 of 23

Latest

  • Big Conversation 2022 - Results

    Big Conversation 2022 - Results

    An overview of the results from our 2022 survey of voluntary arts activity

  • Grants Programme Coordinator

  • Big Conversation 2022 results

    Big Conversation 2022 results

    An overview of the results from our 2022 survey of voluntary creative activity.

  • Ministry of Stories looking for volunteer mentors

    Ministry of Stories looking for volunteer mentors

    Inspire a love for creative writing in young people in East London

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  • Knitting for Charity - free patterns

    Knitting for Charity - free patterns

    Knitters who are interested in knitting for good causes might like these free patterns

  • GDPR: Data Protection

    GDPR: Data Protection

    How do new GDPR laws on data protection impact your creative activities

  • Get Creative Outdoors

    Get Creative Outdoors

    We're encouraging everyone to Get Creative

  • Contact us

    Contact details for Creative Lives

  • Our Purpose

  • Work with us

    Work with us

    Opportunities to join the team at Creative Lives

  • Creativity Map

    Creativity Map

    Help us create a map of all the creative groups and activities by adding your listing

  • Creative Network

    Creative Network

    Make new connections at our series of friendly online get-togethers. All welcome!

  • Volunteering in the Arts toolkit

    Volunteering in the Arts toolkit

    Guides to support groups to work with volunteers

  • Age of Creativity Festival

    Age of Creativity Festival

    Age of Creativity, England's national festival for creative ageing, taking place from 1 - 31 May 2019

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