Age of Creativity | Inspiration

A-Z of Inspiration for a Creative Later Life

We want to capture and celebrate your creative stories, to inspire more people aged 50+ to get involved in creativity. Please add your story (brief text and image) to our A-Z, which will feature on our social media platforms and be shared through our networks for those who aren’t online. All listings are anonymous. Your story could be the start of someone else’s creative journey.

C is for Candles This celebrates Creative Ageing because: I love how relaxing it feels to burn a candle. I used glass paints to decorate these desert dishes really simply. Just add floating candles and relax!!

T is for Two Step This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Learning to dance the Military ‘Two Step’ and the Polka for the Countess of Chell’s Ball. It’s a scene in a play at my local theatre. I thought I had two left feet but not anymore!

A is for Acting This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Privileged to be part of the community cast in the New Vic Theatre and Claybody Theatre co-production of ‘The Card’. I’m retired but now find myself acting with a professional cast, artistic director, musical director and choreographer! Wow!

K is for Knitting This celebrates Creative Ageing because: I’m part of the community company in the New Vic Theatre and Claybody Theatre co-production of ‘The Card’. They needed football scarves for one scene. Knitting and acting how creative is that?

B is for Ballet This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Ballet can help with posture, mobility, co-ordination and energy levels. In May, we celebrated the Age of Creativity Festival with a free online Silver Swans ballet class and were joined by participants, all aged 55+, from across the UK and abroad.

U is for Ukelele This celebrates Creative Ageing because: A lot of my time is taken up with ukulele, which is great fun…..we even have a spot on the fringe at the forthcoming Cropredy Festival, we are at the Red Lion on Saturday afternoon…..VERY exciting!

N is for National Trust This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Since retiring I volunteer at a National Trust property one day a week. I enjoy the spacious building and grounds and chatting to people and answering questions about the property. It enables me to socialise and keep my mind active.

C is for Creative Writing This celebrates Creative Ageing because: I enjoy writing short stories and have had a few published in anthologies. A short play of mine was taken round care homes and produced a few laughs. Most of all, I write for pleasure!

W is for Wrapping Presents This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Creating a beautifully, individually, wrapped present will delight you and the recipient will be thrilled! I used sweet wrappers to make the flowers; so recycling can be creative.

P is for Painting This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Get your paint brushes, sponges, paper and paint your masterpiece, whether it’s your pet, landscape, portrait, abstract, anything at all.

E is for Exercise This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Gentle or vigorous, your choice. Exercise sitting on the chair lifting your legs alternating with arm swings. Standing on one leg for a minute. Getting up from the chair 5 times. Walking wearing suitable footwear. Take a stick or two if required.

G is for Garden This celebrates Creative Ageing because: I like to spend time enjoying and relaxing in my garden, to watch and feed the birds, look for butterflies and hopefully a hedgehog.

A is for Allotment This celebrates Creative Ageing because: I love gardening on the allotment to grow all sorts of vegetables, fruit and flowers. It certainly keeps me busy, and fit!

P is for Paddle Fan This celebrates Creative Ageing because: You can make your own textile Paddle Fan for cooling down in menopause.

M is for Menopause Creativity This celebrates Creative Ageing because: In the Creative Menopause workshops at The Whitworth we made hot bags.

W is for Weaving This celebrates Creative Ageing because: The Whitworth Handmade group made paper weaving based on the Traces of Displacement exhibition.

B is for Brain Challenge This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Since retirement, always with a sudoku book to hand, I am never bored! Be it in a waiting room, on a train or even at home with a cup of tea, the brain can be engaged in creative problem solving.

S is for Storytelling This celebrates Creative Ageing because: I write stories for the children’s page in the local Church magazine. With the Coronation coming up I have brought out my mug from the Silver Jubilee of King George V. I’m old enough to qualify for this souvenir that we were given at school in 1935.

M is for Model Making This celebrates Creative Ageing because: When I'm on holiday I make these small boats from bamboo. I float & sail them and then photograph them. When I get home and download the photos I draw little people on the boats.

C is for Collage This celebrates Creative Ageing because: I’m passionate about dance and absolutely loved making a collage of the history of dance, celebrating all the incredible styles and famous dancers from ancient times to the present day. It brings me great joy.

C is for Collage This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Easy to create mini collage from newspapers and magazines. The process means that after several layers of paper folding and gluing a collage can be created. The mini collages can be used to create cards, brooches and also framed.

C is for Cooking This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Cooking gives me the opportunity to be creative by using up my leftovers to make my own recipes. It is fun to share the results with members of the family and friends who visit.

D is for Dancing This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Taking up dancing in my late 50s transformed my life, bringing me joy, better health, new skills and so many new friends. From ballet to Argentine tango I’ve yet to find a style I don’t enjoy. Try It!

M is for Macrame This celebrates Creative Ageing because: I turned a small bedroom into a craft room. A place to go to have fun, relax and have a go at different crafts. This macrame is one of the first things I made and hung in the room.

M is for Mosaic This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Mosaics are fun to do as using the materials you have you can make a design you like but are able to change it around before your final design is made permanent. Fun to do in a group or on your own.

S is for Sculpture This celebrates Creative Ageing because: In my 70s I’m having a go at making clay sculptures - it’s a wonderful, new, creative experience, totally absorbing, relaxing and great fun, even if talent is in short supply!

S is for Sketching This celebrates Creative Ageing because: Sketching is drawing quickly. Horses appeared in the field next to our house. I sketched them from our bedroom window. It was challenging as they do not stand still for long. My grandson, age 17 years wants to join me.

W is for Writing This celebrates Creative Ageing because: In my 60s I discovered a love of writing and incredibly had my first book published at the age of 68! The benefits of creativity are described in ‘How to Age Joyfully’ and they include successful ageing. Have a go!

A-Z of Inspiration for a Creative Later Life More Info

A-Z of Inspiration for a Creative Later Life