An update from the Small Grants Fund: St Werburghs Art Club

In April 2022, we launched our Connecting Communities programme, a legacy programme which built on the learning and evaluation of Bristol Ageing Better (BAB). As a part of BAB’s legacy, Connecting Communities has extended five of the most successful models across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. One of which is the Small Grants Fund, offering local community groups the opportunity to apply for small pots of money worth up to £2,000 to help support the health and wellbeing of older people in their community.

The Small Grants Fund has now closed and is being evaluated by the University West of England team to assess the impact that small grant programmes can have on empowering local older people. We visited the St Werburghs Art Club to find out more about the experience of the group members.

The St Werburghs Community Centre over 50s Art Club is a community-led activity that restarted after the pandemic in January 2022 and has around 15 regular attendees aged 60-80. St Werburghs Community Association applied for funding through the Connecting Communities Small Grants Fund to help cover room hire costs, materials and the occasional visit from an arts facilitator who could introduce the group to a new arts method.

Iris, who helps to lead the art club, describes it as an opportunity for people to get together, have a laugh and do something creative. It’s quite an informal group with people dropping in, and with it being self-led people can work on their own projects or come together as a group. The art club has also hosted artists who can facilitate the group and teach them a new arts method, so far the group has had sessions on watercolours and lino printing.

 “I enjoy trying different things and experimenting – it's nice to come and do something different for a couple of hours and meet new people. I have become a sort of carer for my husband, so it’s good to have some time to myself,” said Iris.

Dennison was involved in writing the application alongside St Werburghs Community Association staff. He runs the Tai Chi classes at the Community Centre, and many of his pupils have also joined the Art Club and gotten involved with other activities run by the Centre.  “The sense of ‘togetherness’ is really good. People can come together, have a cup of tea, have a talk and a chat and create something. We've had teachers come in so we’ve learnt different techniques in our pursuit.”  

The group is made up of people from all over the world. Linda is originally from South Africa and has always enjoyed art but has not had the time to pursue her passion. Since retiring she has joined the Tai Chi class at St Werburghs Community Centre, and now the art group too. “It’s really helped unblock my creativity,” she said. “The watercolour teacher who came in was fantastic, she showed us some wonderful techniques that have been so inspiring.”