Creative Writing

November 24, 2022

52 weekly activities

Your story, your way

In this one-to-one activity participants create a story or poem that they can keep and share with family and friends. It is designed to be relaxed, supportive and flexible to meet the needs and feelings of everybody who takes part.

Credit:

Nicola Abraham and Victoria Ruddock / Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Developed in partnership with Imperial College Healthcare Trust, Dementia Care Team.

October 12, 2022

52 weekly activities

How to make a photo poem

Photo poems were first devised by poet Paul Eluard and photographer Man Ray. The technique is a simple blending of poetic words or phrases with an arresting, evocative photograph to create an entirely new work of art: a photo poem.

Credit:

Independent Arts. Developed in partnership with Hazel Lodge, Northbrooke House Care Home.

September 14, 2022

52 weekly activities

Community inspired acrostic

Acrostics are a simple form of poem where the first letter of each word spells out a word or phrase related to the poem. Here the word is COMMUNITY, but once you are familiar with the technique it is a great foundation for writing poems on any theme.

Credit:

Small Things Creative Projects. Developed in partnership with The Jinnah Centre as part of Bury Culture Champions.

August 31, 2022

52 weekly activities

A rhyme in time

This activity uses familiar rhymes and rhyming patterns such as well-loved nursery rhymes and limericks as a starting point to create your own. It is good fun and works well in community spaces like libraries, care home lounges and day centres.

Credit:

Writing East Midlands / Michelle ‘Mother’ Hubbard. Developed in partnership Gregory House at Grantham – Orders of St John Care Trust.

July 13, 2022

52 weekly activities

Objects with meaning

This activity takes a simple concept to create an accessible activity that can be set up in any environment and which everybody can take part in. It works well as a warm-up or as a starting point for something bigger.

Credit:

Royal Exchange Theatre Elders Company / Gordon and Jackie.

April 6, 2022

52 weekly activities

New stories

Using remembered childhood books and illustrations as a stimulus, participants explore significant moments from their own life stories through a series of linked activities.

Credit: Dr Alison Waller with Gemma Seltzer and Wallis Eates. Developed in partnership with Holybourne Care Home in Roehampton.

March 16, 2022

52 weekly activities

Colour as writing inspiration

Use a range of resources and ideas to tap into colour as poetry and creative writing inspiration. Focus on
a specific colour that you see lots of or particularly like, and let your mind take you wherever it wants to!

Credit: Creative Writes / Nichola Charalambou. Developed in partnership with NAPA – Arts in Care Homes, Greensleeves Care & Sunrise Senior Living

May 22, 2019

Social Care Institute for Excellence

SCIE, NAPA

Written in association with NAPA, the SCIE website has a dedicated page aimed at encouraging participation in the arts for people living in care homes.

Packed full of information about a wide range of arts activities including creative writing, visual arts, dance, using puppets, sculpture, music, pottery, digital arts, gardening and everyday creativity.