My Time Kirsten MacQuarrie Expand My time is not my own,dandelions draw me on.Floating petalsbreezing free,I am the guardian of the garden. Wife and worker,daughter, carer,dog walker and dish washer MUM! I care for each one,cultivate.Tend,grow you upgive you sunshine. But once a full moon comes this Break within the clouds.A gap in tidesmy space in time. The wave starts whispering cautious courage.I clasp the penand I begin.
At The Heart Anna Dickie Expand It’s Tuesday morning and women’s voices,in three-part harmony, sing out Smokey Robinson,'I don’t like you, but I love you' – while outsidein the yard toddlers send up an insistentdecant scat. In the hall an amalgam of creamedbutter, sugar and sifted flour wafts. Upstairs needles pirouette, like dancersin Morag Alexander’s class, pullingsilks through linen in back stitch, split stitch,stem stitch, French knots. On other days,at other hours, threads of French and Germanslip from practiced tongues, and lips are pursed and shaped to give a visual voice to thosefor whom the world has turned its volumedown. It’s here we come when our livessuffer an infarction, an arrhythmia, a block.It’s here we come to pick up the rhythmsagain, to pick out a beat on practice pad, to fall safely on a crash mat, to dance again,to reel. It’s here kinship finds support,it’s here that kindness and careare more than abstract, it’s here they are“doing words”. It’s here, in this centre, thisOld Victorian school, with its boys doors & girls doors,that a community finds its heart.
Stitch in Time Maxine Rose Munro Expand I slip between the tick and tock.With needle stab and drag of threadI build silent silken cocoon. Artfulsleight of hand and, stitch on stitch,my fingers birth newness, joiningwhere before was Not. In the gapsof in-breath and out I move with nothought, empty of all but the now.And when the time comes and mythread must be cut, I do so quick,sharp, strong. Deft, natural in thisplace like no other I move freedfrom gravity’s depressions, I flyfor a time. And that is enough.
Line Dancing with Dolly Parton Andrew Keay Expand What a way to make aliving for the swap from synthetics to denim beaten soft with country music squashed into a dance line. Overtly patterned shirts blur with under-seasoned personalities as we sway, stamp, grapevine through our hour, allowing it to drive us crazy if we let it. All taking precious post-pay-packet moments, no, casting a lifeline from labour, crediting ourselves with that rare, precious honour: joy. Respiring deeply, perspiring neatly. Step two three four shuffling majestically heeled cowboy boots across a glossy varnished town hall floor. Now on borrowed time, our finite helium souls inflated once more, we resume our verse, stumble to the kitchen, reminding ourselves of our allocated fun. Lives toppedup to their measured limit, we wish, for nothing more than that one hour per week.
Pottering Max Scratchmann Expand They called it pottering,Or sometimesHis hobby. Or sometimes just plainDabbling. Something that whiled away his lonely hours, You know,Now that the wife had passed on. That’s what they said.Though no-one,NO-ONE,Could begin to understand his passion or his pain,As he sat with album and tweezersAnd the stories of a thousand livesSpread out before himIn inch by inch rectangles of perforated paper,Legends engraved in cancellation ink,The living DNA of lives gone by preservedLike flies in cloudy-clear amberOn yellowed gummed-backed strips,Albums caressed by the hands of the long dead,Their copperplate script an elegyTo lost loves and broken hearts, Tiny haikus of love,Shards of pink envelopes marking the passing of years,Philatelist arias more poignant than any Puccini score And twice as as heartbreaking,All archived in the dusty albumsLovingly stored in the all-embracing library of his shedWhere you can always find himPottering.
Whittle David Linklater Expand Edges of teapots and fruit dishes made presentable. I mothered bluebirds from lifeless liquid. From cast moulds cream necks stemmed, a wing, two eyes, clay skeletons firing in the kiln. Many would fold, cleft beaks, bubbles in the spine, children I buried with the wastage. Some lived to be glazed in a frost-blue coat. I fettle, work words. Shaving, replacing, whittling away at the bone, back-bent. I peel the bark of tree stumps, thread smoke through the needle eye. Picking wild oats with dirt tracks on my palms I weed the changes in me, out. The moth floating dead in the glass like a star, a golden cross when the sun comes. Some lines leap, some die, lungs full of ink. But here I place the bluebird, a solitary tack on a cork board, and its wings flutter a little between blinks. It whispers will you remember me tomorrow? I ask the same of my flock of broken loves, blueprints stained with coffee and dust. These are the measurements, incisions. These are beginnings and ends, stacked lines, trimmings of trying.
The Doctor prescribed Hula Hooping Lynn Valentine Expand I am a one-woman Corryvreckan three thousand turns until I break. Bruises rise with each rotation, sweat surges like a tide in flood. This circle suits me like a lover’s touch, a wedding ring. Each swing a hammer down on sadness, each loop a lengthening of the light.
Jennifer Vernon-Edwards Creative Lives On Air Producer Expand Jennifer is a Creative Lives On Air Producer, based at BBC Radio Sheffield. She says: "Simple things bring me great delight; a good heart to heart conversation or a satisfying cup of tea (with a cake accompaniment!). However, I am made for discovery: musical, people, talent, books, and charity shops! "For the longest time I have been making discoveries about the people and places in South Yorkshire and telling their stories on air with BBC Radio Sheffield. I love it when these stories highlight a convergence between the local and the global; which is surprisingly often. "I’m looking forward to pleasure of further discovery as I attempt to unearth some the hidden creative delights of South Yorkshire!" You can contact Jennifer at [email protected]
January 2022 Spotlight on some of the UK & Ireland's most inspiring creative community groups Expand Singology Singology is a collection of non-professional London-based choirs & worldwide virtual choirs founded by Mark De-Lisser in 2000 to provide singing opportunities and tuition to people of all ages. Choir members performed a Christmas carol with the occasion of The Queen's Christmas speech in 2021. For more information and if you'd like to join Singology, click here. The Arts End of Somewhere The Arts End of Somewhere are an arts collective based in Dumfries. They are an amazing group of people who all have additional support needs who came together to learn about multi-sensory storytelling in May 2019. Since then, they have formally become PAMIS Volunteers and they research, write, and develop multi-sensory stories with people with PMLD in their community. In 2020 they won the ‘Highly Commended’ award for Creative Innovation from the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability for the work they had produced during the coronavirus pandemic. In October 2021, they were recognised at an European level, winning the Amateo Award for their impactful collaboration with PAMIS. For more information and if you'd like to join The Arts End of Somewhere, click here. The Choir With No Name The Choir with No Name have been successfully running choirs and building joyful communities with homeless and marginalised people since 2008. We currently have five choirs: in Birmingham, Liverpool, London, Brighton and Cardiff, as well as two pilot choirs based on a new mixed community model. Choir members are performing between 27 - 29 January alongside another community choir, Spires Music, and the Coventry Cathedral's choirs as part of the 60th anniversary events for the building's new section. Tickets can be booked online via Coventry City of Culture's website. For more information and if you'd like to join The Choir With No Name, click here.
February 2022 Spotlight on some of the UK & Ireland's most inspiring creative community groups Expand Arts & Crafts Project Meeting at The Bevendean Cooperative Pub in Brighton, this group is open to anyone in the local community interested to have fun trying their hand at some arts and crafts activities while making new friends. The pub recently hosted a workshop on inclusion and diversity with the occasion of the LGBT History Month. The pub also hosts regular live music and performance events by and for the local community. For more information and if you'd like to join the Arts & Crafts Project, click here. Gŵyl y Ferch (Women's Festival) This is a grassroots, volunteer-run social venture based in North Wales, founded by two women in 2019. The objectives are to provide a stage for the incredible creative women of North Wales, improve accessibility to the arts through free and affordable events, and to fundraise and partner with local charities helping women and girls. The group’s fundraising events are centred around an open exhibition of visual arts, and corresponding programme of music, literature and education. On Friday 11 February evening, Gŵyl y Ferch organised its first in-person arts event since early 2020. For more information and if you'd like to join Gŵyl y Ferch, click here. More groups coming soon
Gil Dye Lace maker and researcher Expand Gil is a lace maker and researcher who enjoys sharing her interest through teaching, books, articles and talks. She specialises in 16th and 17th century bobbin lace and is intrigued by the way creative textile techniques have intermingled over the past 500 years. As a member of the executive committee of The Lace Guild she helped to establish a City and Guilds Lacemaking assessment and also prepared the successful application for the Lace Guild to become a Registered Museum. Gil has been involved with Creative Lives since the inaugural meeting of VAN in 1991, including six years as a Board member. In the early years she was the only person at meetings speaking for crafts and visual arts and is delighted that these now have equal standing with music and other performing arts.
Emma Campbell Music Officer at Creative Scotland Expand Emma is a Music Officer at Creative Scotland, working mainly across folk and classical genres and projects in youth and community arts. She is interested in how creativity connects us to other people as well as helping to understand and express ourselves as individuals. Emma also sings and plays piano and she has sung with various choirs around Glasgow.
Jon Roberts Technical Director Expand Jon is an experienced Technical Director with a diverse background in creativity, management and production. His technical expertise alongside my bold creativity gives me a strong balance of innovation and rationale. In leading teams from design to delivery, he has a wide range of knowledge across all technical disciplines. Jon is a ninja when resolving problems and always find a solution, especially when the pressure is on. He possess a natural flair for sustainability and focus my energy on high quality work with respect for resources and reducing waste. Above all, Jon is driven to create truly accessible, inclusive and diverse experiences which give more to this world than they take away.
Michael Betteridge Composer Expand Described as ‘inventive’ (The Financial Times) and ‘bold’ and ‘colourful’ (The Times) Michael is a composer with an eclectic output creating work that challenges and inspires audiences and performers alike. Predominantly working with voice, theatre, and with nonprofessional/young performers he has created work for the likes of Alþýðuóperan (Folk Opera Iceland), Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Cheltenham Music Festival, Den Jyske Opera, London Symphony Orchestra, Nicola Benedetti, Opera North, Psappha, and Welsh National Opera. His music has featured on BBC Radio 3 and 4 and he has received accolades for his work in the UK and abroad including nominations for an RPS Award (Across the Sky) and an Icelandic Music Award (#echochamber). He is artistic director of the open access low voiced LGBTQ+ choir The Sunday Boys based in the city of Manchester, UK.
March 2022 Spotlight on some of the UK & Ireland's most inspiring creative community groups Expand Celf Able Celf-Able is an inclusive art group run by disabled artists in Montgomeryshire. We are disabled- and artist-led, but open to all ages and abilities, artists and people who just want to have a go at art. The group is also co-winner of the 2021 Peer Award for Excellence (part of the Creative Lives Awards). In March, the group was looking for a new Director. Learn more about their inspiring work at www.celf-able.org. Coffee 'n' Laughs For International Women's Day, we spotlighted the amazing work done by Coffee 'n' Laughs - a multicultural friendship group based in Newport, Wales, that won the 2021 Celebrating Diversity Award (part of the Creative Lives Awards). The group offers an open and inclusive space for women ‘of all faiths and none’ to come together. During the pandemic, activity was rolled out over WhatsApp and Zoom, with sessions designed to help vulnerable members feel empowered and connected over an isolated period. Learn more about Coffee 'n' Laughs and how to join the group via Facebook.
Clare Daněk Textile artist, cultural worker and researcher Expand Clare Daněk is a textile artist, cultural worker and researcher who has a particular interest in everyday creativity; she is currently researching how people learn craft skills in open access community making spaces, studying at the University of Leeds. Her recent work experience has included coordinating an international puppet festival, supporting a project improving access to musical opportunities for young people in challenging circumstances, and delivering textile workshops with older people. Alongside this she maintains a creative practice as a textile artist, focusing predominantly on the minutiae of everyday life.
Jae Fowler Creative group leader Expand A lifelong interest in crafting and personal experience of the value of crafting for wellbeing and the potential for social connection, led Jae Fowler to establish Canterbury Christ Church Creatives in 2018. The Creatives is a group for staff and students of Canterbury Christ Church University and brings people together to craft and make art for enjoyment and wellbeing and to teach and learn skills. Members are able to work on particular projects that benefit the University and wider communities and contribute to the inclusivity and sustainability of the University. The membership connects across a variety of platforms and brings people together both virtually and in-person. Since the group formed, membership has grown to more than 370 and continues to grow. The group won the University’s first Outstanding Contribution to the Staff Community award in 2020/21. Jae is very interested to connect with others in education settings who are involved with similar groups, both those run on a voluntary basis and those resourced by the organisation, with a view to sharing best practice and forming a network of interested people. Jae hopes that her experience of running a group on a voluntary basis alongside full-time employment and engaging with a range of volunteers and stakeholders, will bring useful insights to her role as Creative Advisor and she is excited to be able make a contribution to Creative Lives.
April 2022 Spotlight on some of the UK & Ireland's most inspiring creative community groups Expand [Photo credit: Kristian Buus] Kinetika Kinetika People is a charity, specialising in community engagement and #placemaking through outdoor arts. Creative Lives have been collaborating with them for the Beach of Dreams project. In April, Kinetika was looking for sewing volunteers helping them make costumes that will be worn by performers for The Thank You Dance at Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. To learn more, visit www.kinetika.co.uk Black Box Projects Winners of the 2021 Ireland Creative Lives Award, Black Box Projects are created and run for and by people with learning disabilities, supported by a team of dedicated volunteers and the Black Box venue in Belfast. In April, the group launched an original music video commissioned by Disability Arts Online. Watch and listen below: We edited together some photographs, paintings, sketches, and video clips to create the music video ‘It is Hard to Find Words for Feelings. "The plan was to go for some socially distanced walks as a group to gather ideas, themes, and inspiration from Nature! We went for two walks, one in Botanic Gardens and the other in Ormeau Park. Here are some photos of us there," said one of the group members. Learn more about this Black Box Project on their website: www.blackboxbelfast.com World Song Choir This community choir is open to anyone in the belief that everyone can sing, regardless of background or experience. The choir members rehearse weekly at Coventry Central Hall. World Song was looking for new members to join its friendly group for their new term starting on 27 April. If you want to learn more about the choir and how to join them, visit www.worldsong.co.uk Bridgend Farmhouse Scotland's Winner at the Epic Awards 2020 (now called the Creative Lives Awards), Bridgend Farmhouse announced the launch of a series of woodwork sessions set to continue on a weekly basis, every Sunday and Wednesday. It's something fun and creative to try your hand at the Bridgend Farmhouse, Edinburgh EH16 4TE. If you're interested in learning more, visit www.bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk or contact the team at [email protected].
May 2022 Spotlight on some of the UK & Ireland's most inspiring creative community groups Expand Kirrie Connections is a community dementia support hub, based in the rural Angus town of Kirriemuir (Scotland). Each week it hosts a variety of different sessions for its members who are living with dementia, and their family carers. Their arts and crafts groups have experimented with rug-making, mosaicking, printmaking and plaster mould casting to name but a few. They're currently running: 🌷 a gardening group that meets event Wednesday from 10 am; 🎵 a choir that holds rehearsals every Friday at 2pm (via Zoom); 🚶♂️ walking sessions every Tuesday from 2pm and every Wednesday from 10.30am Learn more and get involved: www.kirrieconnections.com [Photo credit: Chris Scott] Tinderbox Collective This group has over 70 members aged 8 – 65, coming from all walks of life, amateurs and professional musicians alike, who have a lot coming up this summer. Whether it’s through free music lessons for young people, public performances or recording albums, the Tinderbox Collective has been a vibrant addition to Edinburgh’s music scene since 2010. The one thing all the members have in common, is a love of music and a desire to share that with others. The group was shortlisted for the 2018 Epic Awards. Check out what's on: www.tinderboxcollective.org/whats-on Grand Northern Ukulele Fest This is an annual festival in Huddersfield organised by a brilliant group of volunteers who love to play the ukulele. During the pandemic, the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival reached out to vulnerable elderly groups at risk of isolation. The festival’s volunteer team worked in partnership with care home staff to provide fun and entertainment safely. Their festival is back in June 2022 with a series of performances, workshops and masterclasses open to everyone in the local community and beyond. For more information, visit www.northernuke.com Pandemonium Drummers This year, Pandemonium Drummers celebrate 10 years since their amazing show at the London 2012 Olympics Ceremony and their impressive growth as a voluntary music group, from winning the 2014 Epic Awards for England to becoming an incorporated charity.Discover Pandemonium Drummers' achievements and lockdown experience. The group welcomed drumming enthusiasts to join them for two open sessions of rehearsals in London in May and June. To learn more about the group and to join their next open sessions, please visit www.pandemoniumdrummers.co.uk
June 2022 Spotlight on some of the UK & Ireland's most inspiring creative community groups Expand Meadows Chamber Orchestra One of the UK's finest amateur orchestras is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Saturday 11 June at The Queen's Hall! Meadows Chamber Orchestra's debut was in the Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh on 13 May, 1972. Learn more about the group at www.meadowsorchestra.org.uk
Francesca Aita Expand Francesca Aita is Head of Marketing at Together TV. An experienced marketer within the media industry and charity sector, throughout her international career she has led award-winning campaigns engaging millions of people globally. At Together TV, she leads the marketing, branding and engagement team specialising on creating positive social impact. Every month, Francesca sits down with leaders in the media industry to ‘spill the T’ about their work.
Professor Geoffrey Crossick MBE Expand Geoffrey Crossick MBE is a historian and now holds the honorary position of Distinguished Professor of Humanities in the School of Advanced Study at the University of London. He was previously Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Warden of Goldsmiths, and Chief Executive of the UK’s Arts & Humanities Research Board and it is in these roles that he became increasingly involved with research and education for the arts and cultural sector. He was Director of the AHRC’s Cultural Value Project whose report, Understanding the value of arts and culture, was published in 2016. Geoff was Chair of the Crafts Council between 2013 and 2021 where he helped its increasing engagement with participatory craft practice. He is currently a member of the Boards of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the National Film & Television School, as well as Creative Lives. He is a member of the DCMS Science Advisory Council and the DCMS Culture & Heritage Capital Project’s Advisory Board. Geoff speaks in the UK and internationally on higher education and research strategy, the importance of the arts and humanities, and the creative and cultural sectors. In 2022, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Manchester Metropolitan University, and has been appointed an Honorary Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge; Goldsmiths, University of London; and the Courtauld Institute. Geoff was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List 2025.
Tom Doyle Expand Tom Doyle joined the Creative Lives board in November 2020. Tom is a freelance musical director and lecturer, based in Cork. A graduate of both UCC and MTU Cork School of Music, he is highly sought after as a musical director and pianist in Cork City and its environs. As a choral enthusiast, Tom has had the pleasure of working with the UCC Choral Society, Blackpool Parish Choir, Mayfield Gospel Choir, the Fleischmann Choir, Cork ETB Youth Choir, the workplace choirs at Musgraves and Cork County Council, Munster Rugby Supporters Club Choir, Cantate, the choir at Presentation Secondary School Ballyphehane, the Willcolane Singers, and the Cork Garda Male Voice Choir. An accomplished pianist and répétiteur, Tom has worked with many renowned Irish singers, as well as ensembles such as Irish Youth Opera and Cork Operatic Society. In 2015, Tom was invited as guest conductor for the Cork Concert Orchestra’s Mozart to Morricone concert series; and in early-2022, he was appointed conductor of the University of Limerick Orchestra. Tom lectures in conducting at MTU Cork School of Music where he also directs the musical theatre choir Union.
Lewis Hou Expand Lewis Hou is founder and director of Science Ceilidh, an intermediary social enterprise supporting a creative, curious and well Scotland. He hosts the Culture & Wellbeing Community Network Scotland conversations on social inequalities as part of a long-term action research programme on cultural democracy. He also coordinates The Ideas Fund and Highlands & Islands Climate Change Community Network funding over 35 grassroots communities directly to lead participatory research on mental wellbeing, culture and climate change. Lewis is a Fellow of the Young Academy of Scotland as well as one of the UK Creative Community Fellows and was recently awarded the Beetlestone Award for leadership and legacy in the science engagement field.
Jill Miller OBE Expand Jill has extensive public and voluntary sector experience with specific interest in creativity, inclusion, engagement and wellbeing, focussing on how we make and share individual and community stories. After graduating from the Scottish College of Textiles she worked as a freelance Community Artist, Facilitator and Trainer before joining Fife Council, initially as an Arts and Disability Officer in 1990 and then moving to work in Glasgow in1999. Jill retired in July 2021 from her role as Director of Cultural Services at Glasgow Life, where she was responsible for strategic leadership and management of Art and Music, Museums and Collections, Libraries, Learning and Community Development. She is currently the Chair of the Donald Dewar Arts Awards, Chair of Fife Coastal and Countryside Trust and a trustee at the National Trust for Scotland.
Sunita Pandya Expand Having read History at the University of Bristol, Sunita set up her own production company that produced work with Bristol Old Vic and other places across the UK for six years. She worked at the Orange Tree Theatre before attending Drama School London to study Theatre and TV Directing. After graduating, Sunita worked on major projects with the National Theatre such as the development and first presentation of War Horse, before becoming a producer at Battersea Arts Centre where she programmed and delivered festivals. Sunita then moved to Sadler’s Wells as Project Manager whilst also managing the incubator programme for new choreographers in partnership with the Jerwood Foundation. Sunita then became the Executive Director of WildWorks (a Cornish landscape and participatory-focused theatre company) leading the company for two years, before joining Southbank Centre. Initially working as a Producer at Southbank Centre, Sunita moved into the Executive role of Director of Artistic Planning, Partnerships and Administration, totalling 7.5 years at Southbank Centre. Sunita now balances her time between being COO for the National Academy for Social Prescribing and offering executive consultancy around Arts and Culture for clients such as the National Theatre, Museum of Home, Unboxed 2022 and the Unicorn Theatre. Sunita leads Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging workshops and strategy work, as well as being the current Chair of Tara Theatre Ltd and has been giving lectures on Creative Producing (and Business Management) at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama for the past decade. Previously Sunita was Deputy Chair at Battersea Arts Centre as well as Trustee at Shoreditch Town Hall and the Orange Tree Theatre.
Mark Rhys Jones Expand Mark was a solicitor in private practice specialising in resolving disputes, helping clients to manage projects to a successful conclusion and devising strategies to avoid disputes arising. He sits as a part time judge in South Wales. Mark has previously sat on (and chaired) the Board of a children and young person’s theatre company in Wales.
Sophie Fraser Place Co-ordinator Expand Sophie joined the Creative Lives Place team as Place Co-ordinator in 2024. Sophie has worked at Brain Health Scotland on their innovative school programme, teaching children how to look after their brain health. She also has a background in fundraising, events and administration. Sophie plays bass and sings in a metal band, and loves creating and crafting. You can contact Sophie at [email protected]
Adriana Marques Expand Adriana is an expert in culture-led regeneration and cultural placemaking. She is leading the cultural strategy in Thamesmead for Peabody, and putting local residents at the heart of shaping the town’s future. The strategy has delivered affordable artist studios in an iconic brutalist building with Bow Arts, set up a local arts organisation TACO! and locally-run radio station RTM.FM, established the award-winning Thamesmead Festival led by local residents, and commissioned international art projects that have put Thamesmead on the map. Adriana is now looking at community governance and how we can embed long term cultural programmes in collaboration with local people. She is also known for delivering the public art programme on the Olympic Park as it was built, and leading the London Legacy Development Corporation’s Cultural Strategy which has led to the creation of East Bank, and the protection of artist studios in Hackney Wick. She has written "Open Space", an advocacy publication for Arts Council England on best practice public art in London; ran the contemporary art programme at the Austrian Cultural Forum for seven years; and created Lido Love, a night-time festival at London Fields Lido in Hackney which ran for three years. Adriana is a member of the NLA’s Culture Expert Panel, the GLA’s Advisory Board for the Thames Estuary Production Corridor, co-chair of Three Rivers, Bexley’s Creative People and Places programme, an RSA fellow, and a mentor for University of the Arts undergraduate programme.
What should we do if we need help with our application? Expand Email [email protected] You can also attend our online information session on Tuesday 13 January 2026, between 10-11am. Click here to book your place.