Unwind from the week and immerse yourself in great conversations at our brand-new monthly Book Club. Hosted at the fantastic 1 Mill St – Fluters Bar, each session will feature a structured discussion led by Aarthi.
Not only will you enjoy an inspiring evening with fellow readers, but your ticket fee will also go towards supporting Arts Uplift’s creative arts programmes, which use the arts to improve the physical and mental health of adults across Coventry and Warwickshire.
📖 This Month’s Book: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Winner of the 2014 Readers’ Historical Fiction Award, this modern classic is set during World War II and tells the story of two young people whose lives collide in occupied France.
Marie-Laure, a blind girl from Paris, flees with her father to Saint-Malo, carrying what may be the museum’s most valuable jewel.
Werner, an orphan in Germany with a gift for radios, is enlisted by the Nazis to track down the resistance.
Doerr masterfully interweaves their journeys, offering a moving exploration of survival, resilience, and humanity amidst the devastation of war.
🌟 What to Expect
A welcoming, relaxed atmosphere at 1 Mill St – Fluters Bar
A structured book discussion with Aarthi
The chance to connect with fellow book lovers
Deep dive into themes of history, resilience, and human connection
Your participation helps fund Arts Uplift’s creative arts programmes
✨ We can’t wait to see you there for an evening of books, conversation, and community!
Based on real-life stories from people affected by dementia that we gathered from Arts Uplift’s successful Suitcase Stories project in partnership with Museums Worcestershire, Navigating Margaret, is an exciting theatre production about a Worcestershire woman’s journey living with dementia and how it affects her family. Margaret was one of the first women to fly an aeroplane in Worcestershire and we also look back at her life from the 60s to the present day (her childhood, growing up and meeting the love of her life Charlie a ground breaking inter-cultural relationship) as her story unfolds.
The play weaves text and movement with a fairy-tale feel to it mixing the real and abstract. Four diverse professional actors will help to tell the incredible stories and raise much needed awareness and education about dementia (1 in 14 adults over 65 years have dementia and 1 in 3 people born today will develop the disease).
Audience members thoughts
“Wonderful. Magical. Informative. Helps dispel the fear & concern around dementia.” “I thought the play was incredibly well written, the emotional aspects were very hard hitting, but very eye opening.”
“It was charming and poignant and so beautifully detailed, real emotional lift.”
A Question and Answer session will follow each show with a panel including dementia experts, members of the cast and the Writer/Director. This will enable the audience to explore the subject matter and the creative journey. Local dementia support information will be available to take away.
Who should see the play
The play and associated dementia workshops are suitable for older people, professional care staff, NHS workers, health students, volunteers, carers and family members, people with early stage dementia, theatre goers and anyone generally interested in dementia.
The show and workshops are not suitable for people with middle and late-stage dementia. Age recommendation 12+ due tooccasional mild swearing.
Dementia Awareness Workshops
Using excerpts from the show and Forum Theatre techniques, the workshops are a practical introduction to dementia, dementia care and prevention. Low pressure interactive play opportunities and practical explorations build an actionable and experiential understanding of dementia.
What to Expect:
Interactive Learning: Immerse yourself in a dynamic learning experience that combines informative discussions with hands-on activities.
Expert Guidance: Benefit from the expertise of our 4-person team and dementia specialist, including actors who will share excerpts from their thought-provoking show.
Actionable Insights: Gain practical knowledge and skills to enhance dementia care and promote preventive behaviours.
Hear what our participants have to say: “Absolutely brilliant”
“Very informative and great that it got people physically involved”
In previous workshops all participants stated they learnt something new, including the complexity of the disease and the impact it has on family & friends. 100% said they would recommend the training, stating that “It was a positive way of looking at how to make a difference” and “Interactive learning is so much better than being talked at!”
Testimonial
Kevin Moffatt, dementia researcher (just retired from Warwick University)
“Professionally, I would consider that everyone should immerse themselves in Navigating Margaret. As a dementia-research neuroscientist, and the Outreach Director for Life Sciences, I am always looking for ways to use the power of the creative arts to bring this subject to the forefront. Having participated in two of the rehearsed readings and their associated workshops, I was hugely impressed. Arts Uplift’s research and dedication to the science, social implications and the personal interactions of families, makes for an intelligent, pertinent and factual insight into this critical area of disease and care.”
Arts Uplift are committed to being as environmentally responsible as possible. Please consider travelling to the show and workshops by public transport, on foot or car share.
Book Your Place
Live performance
Pay what you can. All donations appreciated.
14 November 7pm – Sikh Cultural & Sports Centre, Leamington Spa, CV31 3LZ
17 November 10.30am – Indian Community Centre, Cross Rd, Coventry, CV6 5GP
21 November 7pm, Ecumenical Centre, Redditch,B97 4EX
There will be a Q&A session following each play.
Dementia Awareness Workshops
14 November 2.30-4.30pm – Sikh Cultural and Sports Centre, Leamington, CV31 3LZ- Pay what you can
19 November 10-12pm Hastings Care Home, Malvern, WR14 3NA- £20* including refreshments
19 November 2.30-4.30pm Tolly Community Centre, Worcester, WR4 9QW- £20* including refreshments
20 November 10-12 noon Deer Park Care Home, Ledbury, HR8 2XW- £20* including refreshments
20 November 2.30-4.30pm Belmont Community Centre, Hereford, HR2 7UQ £20* including refreshments
21 November 2.30-4.30pmEcumenical Centre, Redditch, B97 4EX- Pay what you can
Eliza Ann is a 23 year old, actor/creator/movement artist, based in London and the West Midlands. Since graduating in 2022, with a First Degree in Acting, Theatre and Performance, she has continued to develop her skills in visual imagery and physical theatre. Eliza performed as Young Margaret in the 2023 and 2024 rendition of Navigating Margaret with ArtsUplift. She is now returning as Young Margaret and Dani, in this version of Navigating Margaret – The Tour (2025). Eliza is also an associate artist for the critically acclaimed Strange Futures Theatre Company, with whom she has written, devised and performed in multiple community-involved projects, including The Last Restaurant (2022), Slow Cooked Stories (2023) and On The Bare Hill (2024). The Tree Rings.
(2023) was shortlisted by both Underbelly and The Pleasance Charlie Hartill Fund. She has led workshops in puppetry and visual arts, of which involved drama students at The University of Worcester. Eliza has also supported multiple award nominated short films.
Lucinda Lloyd
Playing Magpie, Ma, Louise, Sarah
Lucinda graduated from the Academy Of Live & Recorded Arts completing the 3year Diploma in Acting. She continued her training with Anne Bogart (Viewpoints) and Seb Harcombe (Stanislavski). She won the ‘Best Supporting Actress’ award in the 168 LA Film Festival for her role in the film Home, dir: Debs Paterson. Theatre credits include Shall We Shog? (The Globe) dir: Ken Campbell; Decor Without Production 1 & 2, (The Royal Court) dir: Ken Campbell; Cathy,Wuthering Heights, (The Rosemary Branch and UK tour) dir: Helen Tennison; Hecuba in Hecuba, (The White Bear) dir: Justin Murray; Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, (Dirty Market Theatre) dir: Georgina Sowerby. Lucinda combines her skills as an actor, artist and writer. She was selected for The New Writers programme at The Royal Court & The Arcola as well as receiving a poetry writing award from The Arvon Foundation. She also received The Royal Female School of Art Award. In addition to her works being shown at The Arcola & The BAC, Lucinda is currently developing an original piece of theatre with St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney, London. This is the second time Lucinda has been a part of the company for Navigating Margaret.
Illona Linthwaite
Playing Margaret
After training at Rose Bruford’s Drama School Illona worked in repertory theatre for several years. She later formed her own company, writing and commissioning plays. In London she has acted at The Arcola, Lyric Hammersmith, Playhouse Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, Young Vic, National and RSC Theatre Companies. She recently worked with the Dot Collective, Bedouin Shakespeare, Punch Drunk, SLG Co. and Swamp Motel playing many glorious parts. Television work includes series Within These Walls, Shadow of the Noose, The Flockton Flyer, The Bill and several plays for Today. With her one woman plays she has toured many parts of the world. This is the third time Illona has played Margaret for Arts Uplift.
Madhav Vasantha
Playing Graham, Charlie and Aunty Edie
Madhav grew up in Bangalore, India and has lived and worked in the States and the UK since then. His recent credits include The Vanishing Elephant which premiered at the New Victory Theatre getting the NY Times Critics Choice followed by a tour of the UK and USA. Among his other theatre credits are Rajesh & Naresh, Lost souls, Pericles and The Tempest. He was also one of the Sketch Ensemble cast with the award winning (RTS 2020/21 Best Entertainment Programme) TV show Crackerjack (CBBC & BBC one) which can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.
Navigating Margaret has been made possible by the following sponsors
Our weekly AGEING WELL sessions help to improve social connection and physical and mental wellbeing. They are dementia friendly. Key benefits include:
These workshops are great for:
Reducing loneliness
Improving hand and eye co-ordination and dexterity
Connecting people with new like-minded individuals
Learning new skills
Re-igniting old passions and hobbies
Slowing cognitive decline
Improving self-expression
Improving confidence
Singing For Wellbeing
Discover the power of music to uplift your spirits and improve your overall health. Sing along to familiar tunes, connect with others and enjoy a cuppa and a chat.
Arts and Crafts with Jess and Aish for over 65s – FREE
Take part in a range of carefully crafted mindful sessions with friendly support and guidance. Suitable for all abilities and people living with Dementia, Parkinsons or other disabilities. Carers welcome to come and support. Refreshments provided.
Activities include
Canvas painting with acrylic- landscape
Canvas bag design with fabric pens , garden themed
exploring colour, marbling and colour blending – linked to fashion
With thanks to Southam Town Council, The Lottery Community Fund and Tesco Stronger Starts
Bedworth – pay what you can
Wednesdays 10.30am to 12pm
February 5, 12, 19, 26
March 5, 12, 19, 26
April 2, 9, 30
May 7,14,21,28
June 4,11,18,25
July 2,9,16,23,30
Sept 3,10,17,24
October 1,8
2025
Venue:
Old Meeting United Reformed Church, Leicester St, Bedworth, CV12 8JR
With thanks to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and The Postcode Local Trust
Quotes from past participants
Movement to Music Kenilworth – FREE
Fridays 10.45am to 12.15pm – FREE
Starts 15 November
Join us at these some gentle movement sessions set to familiar tunes. These sessions aim to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
Sessions include One hour of movement and half an hour of social time, so these sessions are a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends. Refreshments are also included.
At Kenilworth Library, at the back of the building.
Our creative wellbeing courses are designed to help adults find ways of managing stress and improving mental-wellbeing. In a supportive group setting, you’ll learn to express your feelings and thoughts through music, singing and creative writing.
Led by experienced choir leader Claire Fowler. These small group sessions will help to boost your mood as you sing to familiar songs together. This choir is suitable for beginners and you don’t need to be a brilliant singer just the willingness to have a go!
There is lots of evidence that singing together can help with low mood, anxiety and depression.
What you can expect to learn:
Gain a better understanding of how singing can benefit your well-being.
Feel more confident about singing in a group and learn breathing and singing techniques to help you.
Meet new people and have peer to peer support.
Singing for wellbeing is aimed at adults across Warwickshire & Coventry looking to find creative coping strategies that can improve mental wellbeing.
For further information email info@artsuplift.co.uk or call on 01926 504 212
Supported by the National Lottery Community Fund
Creative Writing for Wellbeing
Discover the power of writing to improve your wellbeing
Course tutor: Tristan Jackson-Pate
Join our FREE online adult creative writing workshops led by Tristan Jackson-Pate. Discover your voice, craft compelling stories, and connect with others in a supportive community. Open to Coventry and Warwickshire residents who are looking to find coping strategies and improve mental well-being.
Mondays 7-8.30pm online via Zoom
Course 1: (Via Zoom) 13 January, 3 February, 3 March, 28 April, 19 May, 16 June, 14 July, 11 August 2025
Course 2: September 22, 29, October 6,13,20, November 3,10,17,24, December 1 – Booking OPEN
This creative writing group, led by writer and theatre maker Tristan Jackson-Pate alongside an Arts Uplift volunteer will focus on the ways we craft stories, in a relaxed online group setting. Participants can access the exercises in a variety of ways and enjoy the support of the group as they develop their ideas. Though sessions will primarily look at dramatic writing for theatre or film, the exercises and discussions had will be relevant to all forms of storytelling, whether you want to write a novel, or a poetry collection. We will cover:
Where stories come from
Story structure
Character creation
Finding the meaning
Exploring form
Plotting
Redrafting
And of course, how not to become blocked in your creativity! The aim is to provide chances to learn, create, and collaborate, in an inclusive, no pressure environment.
What you can expect to learn:
A better understanding about how creative writing can benefit your well-being.
More confidence about creative writing and different techniques that can be used to improve your well-being
Meet new people and have peer to peer support
For further information email info@artsuplift.co.uk or call on 01926 504 212
The inside stories creative writing group has just released an exciting new eBook featuring a vibrant collection of poems and stories from our course participants, representing a rich diversity of backgrounds and heritages. Download your copy today to experience the captivating power of their words and perspectives.
Previous creative writing from past courses are HERE 2023 and HERE 2024
Song Writing for Wellbeing
Feeling low? Put a song in your heart. Better still write one!
Discover the power of song writing to enhance your wellbeing. Join experienced musician Martin Riley for these FREE songwriting workshops designed to help adults
Course Tutor Martin Riley
Find creative ways of managing stress and improving mental-wellbeing.
COURSE DETAILS
Online course from 10 April – Thursdays 7-8.30pm – 9 Monthly sessions
Online – 10 April, 8 May, 12 June, 17 July, 14 Aug, 11 Sept, 16 Oct, 13 Nov, 11 Dec
Bookings are now closed through the Recovery and Wellbeing Academy but you can book with us info@artsuplift.co.uk we are still taking participants.
Inside Stories – creative courses for wellbeing are delivered in partnership with the Recovery & Wellbeing Academy from March to December 2024.
Inside Stories sessions have been funded by the following organisations:
Song Writing – National Lottery Community Fund and Rugby Benevolent Fund
Singing for Wellbeing – National Lottery Community Fund and Leamington Town Council
Creative Writing – National Lottery Community Fund
Singing for Well-Being is suitable for people looking to find coping strategies and improve mental well-being.
FREE singing workshops led by experienced choir leader Claire Fowler. These small group sessions will help to boost your mood as you sing to familiar songs together. This choir is suitable for beginners and you don’t need to be a brilliant singer just the willingness to have a go!
There is lots of evidence that singing together can help with low mood, anxiety and depression. There will be a chance to socialise afterwards and support each other over refreshments.
Singing for wellbeing is a partnership between the SYDNI Centre and Arts Uplift CIC
What you will learn
Gain a better understanding about how singing can benefit your well-being.
Feel more confident about singing in a group and learn breathing and singing techniques to help you.
To meet new people and have peer to peer support.
Aimed at: Adults across Warwickshire & Coventry looking to find creative coping strategies that can improve mental wellbeing.
Create to Motivate is an arts programme that aims to contribute to improving mental health and reducing re-offending. It has been delivered in Augustus House, Leamington Spa (Approved Premises) for 4 years, with great support from the staff there.
Now in its 5th year we continue to deliver song-writing, film-making and arts and crafts sessions (this year wood crafts) with support from Warwickshire Police and Crime Comissioner, Warwickshire County Council and Augustus House in partnership with Crave Arts. We will also be delivering 4 training sessions for the staff of Augustus House and neighbouring AP’s to help them to deliver arts and crafts with the residents when we are not there to continue the support. We will be delivering street arts, pottery and wood crafts.
CREATE TO MOTIVATE 2024 – 2025
In 2024-25, the programme was delivered with 3 art-forms. Male offenders are resident at Augustus House for a period of time as part of rehabilitation following prison. Over the course of the project (June 2024 – March 2025), different residents experienced the arts sessions. Arts Uplift delivered a 10 week block of film-making, 10 weeks of music-making and 10 weeks of pottery. The last session in each block was a sharing session where the fruits of the course are shared in front of others. This means 30 sessions were delivered in total with people who had offended and were at risk of re-offending in Warwickshire.
Artwork inspired by the song writing workshop
Film making workshop
Dinosaur made in the pottery workshop
Made possible with thanks to funding from Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Warwickshire County Council and Augustus House.
Film Making Sessions
The film, ‘Judged’, about the impact of being judged and how this affects someone’s whole day, can be seen by by clicking the link below.
Feedback from participants
I have felt my mood improve over the 6 weeks I have been in the group. The patience of the tutor has brought me out of my shell and I’ve benefited massively from that’
‘Feeling more positive, more relaxed’
‘Film club made me feel appreciated – especially as my ideas were used in the film’
I am determined to live a crime free life and taking part in the course, speaking to other lads on this group and listening to their experiences has b
I played a part in this film. I would never have dreamed of doing anything like this but it has made me feel more willing to discuss my emotions to staff and my family’
Song Writing Workshop with Martin Riley
Music-making had been a popular choice amongst Augustus house residents in the past 2 years and so Martin Riley was engaged to deliver workshops again in 2024.
Martin Riley is a talented musician and music facilitator, with experience of working particularly with people in some form of disadvantage. This sits alongside his illustrious career as a pianist and songwriter for established bands such as The Charlatans and Deep Purple, and touring. Martin is skilled in adapting and responding to the needs of those with whom he works – he can quickly pivot between musical genres and develop a song from any starting point!Music sessions took place for 10 weeks over Summer 2024, led by Martin Riley.
There were 3 regular attenders and 6 people overall. Martin ensured that all those who attended sessions contributed to the composition. The scope of musical and cultural influences in the final piece was vast – from Bach’s string quartets, to Bill Hicks’ comedy, to electronic dance music. Attendees wrote lyrics (poetry), voiced a narrative, sang, created electronic music (using a Digital Audio Workstation) and played keyboard, ukelele and bass to create the final piece. The final composition included 108 overlayed tracks. Martin said that the final piece had something of all of them in it, reflecting all their interests. The band called themselves The Primary Masters.
During the sessions, one participant expressed an interest and previous experience in creating visual art. He chose to create visual art pieces during Martin’s music sessions, inspired by the music, whilst others worked on the composition. The culmination of Martin’s sessions, at the final showcase event, therefore included one musical composition and a display of the artwork (on the walls and on a slideshow) which accompanied the music, entitled ‘Kaleidoscopic Colourways’. A film of the artwork and music can be seen below.
A member of the group who is an artist was inspired to create artwork to accompany the music. Some of which can be seen below:
Feedback from participants
A great vent for putting across certain ideas that were in turn challenged further across creativity in practise’
‘Achieved with skilful self-management’
‘I developed people skills – listening as well as working within a small team’
‘I feel like I have developed some new skills’
Channelling across more creative energy in a more robustly positive fashion can only be greatly beneficial and positive’
‘I am doing my best to live a crime free life’
Pottery Sessions with James Robinson
Last year, Pottery sessions were trialled with just 5 weeks of activity. This was so well received that James Robinson was brought back this year for 10 weeks of Pottery in early 2025.James is a mixed media artist, working in oils, watercolour, Chinese brush-and-ink, block printing, ceramic and mixed-media sculpture, experienced in teaching these skills to a range of ages.
James brought images and books to inspire designs and all men were able to follow their chosen path.
Over 10 weeks, James supported each participant in their endeavours – some created multiple pieces, some just one piece. One who attended from week 3 and then sustained his attendance for the whole course created an ambitious sculpture over this time.
Feedback from participants
‘This has helped me feel better within myself. I have enjoyed it’
‘Very positive’
‘Yes it has helped – I felt chilled and calm. Kept me busy’
‘This has made me feel more calm’
‘I’ve never done pottery before and I’ve never done anything like this before’
‘I have followed the rules and committed no crimes’
‘I’m not going back to prison’
‘I always aim to have a crime free life’
Previous Create to Motivate Workshops
Filmmaking sessions took place with Nicky Prestage from Tiger Production for 9 weeks over the Autumn/Winter. This group really gelled and worked hard collaboratively to produce the short film ‘Freddie Fingers’. Each person that took part contributed as actors, camera crew and script writers.
Film Freddie Fingers
Images of the film making sessions
Music sessions took place for 9 weeks over Summer 2023, led by Martin Riley. In the sessions he worked hard with the group, enabling and supporting them to compose the lyrics and music to a collaborative song, Breathe in Breathe Out. All those who attended at least one session contributed to the final song, which had 96 different layered tracks within it.
CREATE TO MOTIVATE 2022/23 See below for past outcomes.
Thanks to funding from Warwickshire County Council, Augustus House, McIntyre House and Warwickshire PCC we delivered some creative workshops with adults on probation at Augustus House, Leamington Spa and McIntyre House, Nuneaton during 2022. The focus was on improving mental well being, re-developing connectedness post lock down and getting them ready for the world of work and the community. The groups made their own short films and created new songs and music.
Read the evaluation report HERE by Debbie Birch from Crave Arts
Feedback from Darren Pateman, Manager of Augustus House
“One of the participants was released with an extremely poor record in custodial settings and this created a lot of anxiety about his release. People working with this individual did not hold a lot of hope for him being successful in the community. The writing group has given him an opportunity to feel heard and build trust with staff which has ultimately led to him feeling safe and settled in the AP. This person completed his residency with the AP without any warnings, he has moved into independent living and has gained full time employment – a real success story!”
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