Staying at Home?

by Arts Uplift

Suitcase Stories 2 can start!

by Arts Uplift

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, Bransford Trust, Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Bromsgrove District Council, Redditch Borough Council, Museums Worcestershire and John Martins Trust we are able to start Suitcase Stories 2 from November 2018.

Suitcase Stories 2 is an 18 month reminiscence and music project for people living with dementia and their carers in the Wyre Forest, Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wychavon districts running from November 2018 to March 2020.

During the life of the project there will be 63 fortnightly community sessions in Evesham, Kidderminster and Redditch at museums and community centres, 60 sessions in care homes, CPD training for the lead artists, mentoring for 3 students or early career musicians and a symposium in March 2020 for the arts, health and museum sector.

The artists are Heather Wastie, Deborah Rose and Tristan Pate. They will each compose at least three new songs from the reminiscences which will be recorded and available online. They will also perform them at 3 dementia cafes and at the symposium. A short documentary film will also be made to help evaluate the project alongside a full evaluation of the outcomes of the project.

Further details will follow shortly. We are very excited that this project will give so many opportunities to people living with dementia and their carers!

Grown Ups and Wigglers starts!

by Arts Uplift

Thanks to funding from Health Thrive, the health lottery we have managed in partnership with Entrust Care Partnership to carry on with the Rugby Grown Ups and Wigglers classes. The class is again inclusive and welcomes children with additional needs. It runs on a Friday morning 10-11am at Rugby Baptist Church term time only. Its only £3 (£1 concessions) so is a bargain! Contact Jenny Davis to book 07946 585978 jenny@artsuplift.co.uk

Moving in: Moving on

by Arts Uplift

‘Moving in:Moving on’ is a new contemporary art installation coming shortly to Evesham Library from 19 June to 8 July and its FREE! As part of the Evesham Festival of Words, True Tales is a storytelling and art project produced by Arts Uplift CIC to share the stories of Evesham residents.

Storytelling workshops have taken place at The De Montfort School, Blackminster Middle School, Garage Arts, a knit and natter group at Ferry View and with some people from Eastern Europe. Rhubarb Rhubarb Creatives have been recording the stories created from the workshops based on the themes of new beginnings and journeys.

Artist Caroline Tredwell has been interpreting the stories and will create an inspirational contemporary installation based on the true stories from the people of Evesham young and old. The audio of the stories told will also feature.

Jenny Davis, Director of Arts Uplift CIC says “It’s been fascinating and inspiring listening to all of the stories that have come from the workshops we held recently and from such a diverse range of people. Caroline Tredwell has done an amazing job of interpreting them in to an interesting yet hopefully challenging exhibition. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing the public’s response.”

There is a preview of the work and a chance to chat to the artist Caroline Tredwell and Arts Uplift CIC on Wednesday 21 June from 4.30-5.30pm

True Tales has been supported by Arts Uplift, The Elmley Foundation, Wychavon District Council, Worcestershire County Council, Vale of Evesham Network of Artists and Evesham Festival of Words

Drumming Workshops

by Arts Uplift

The lovely Nick and Karen Ledbury ran a great drumming workshop at Housman Court care home in January to a full house. Loads of older people got involved and was enjoyed by all.