Sandra Clements of Hawkhill Community Association in Alloa tells us how a 'Come on in' micro-grant from Creative Lives helped their Changing Colours group to invite newcomers to use crafts and music, amongst other things, to help them talk about bereavement.

"A massive thank you to Creative Lives who funded our wee group 'Changing Colours' to throw a party to celebrate one year running, produce some marketing materials and to open it up to new people in the community.

We were delighted to welcome our local Councillor Kenny Earle, Leader of Clacks Council Ellen Forson and MSP Keth Brown, who were all very impressed with the group, our ethos and the support that people were receiving. We publicised it on our Facebook page and we now have four new members as a result.

Since then, we have secured more funding to help with development and marketing and Liz the group leader has a number of speaking engagements lined up to spread the word and hopefully gain more members.

The group is user-led and people talk about all sorts of experiences. It's very low-key, very soft and not too heavy on structure but with a number of regular activities which keep the conversation flowing. 

We are delighted with the progress the group has made and the positive feedback we are receiving. We are incorporating them into our dementia-friendly strategy and inviting carers along, some have lost their loved ones, some are grieving the loss of the person as they knew them. Grief isn't a one-size-fits-all, or linear thing so this group welcomes and supports anyone who is grieving in our area."