Last month, our Brewery Arts groups Act Your Age and Mature Movers groups, together with Emily Davies (our Learning & Engagement Officer for Dance) and Tricia Gordon (Freelance Facilitator for Act Your Age), attended the Creative Ageing Symposium at The Dukes in Lancaster. The event brought together a vibrant mix of individuals and groups to explore the concept of creative ageing and challenge common stereotypes about older people.
Participants from Act Your Age and Mature Movers participated in workshops and performed work-in-progress and pop-up pieces (flash mobs), sharing snippets of what they’ve been developing during their classes at Brewery Arts.
Jules, a member of both groups, reflected on the experience:
“The programme offered at the Dukes’ Creative Ageing Symposium was impressive in its range, creativity, and planning, as well as being fun, inspiring and challenging. Members of Act Your Age performed two short pieces as a preview of our summer production this July at the Brewery. As someone who took part, I can vouch for the sense of achievement we felt, performing on an unfamiliar stage to a warm and supportive audience… Alongside the performances, we attended workshops and presentations exploring creative ageing. I believe I can safely say that everyone who attended, whether for one or both days, found the experience meaningful, uplifting, and joyful.”
The symposium highlighted how vital and enriching creative work with older people can be. Creativity not only helps people to live longer but also enables people to live more fully. At any age, opportunities to express yourself, connect socially, and stay physically active are invaluable.
Throughout the weekend, a lineup of creative practitioners, health professionals, and academic researchers shared fresh and innovative approaches to address the key challenges facing the sector.
If you’d like to join our creative classes or find out more, click here.
