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What is Ageing with Creativity?
Ageing with Creativity is a key project strand of Gloucestershire Libraries National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status, supported by the Arts Council for 4 years. The initiative aims to engage with our over 60s community through creative and mindful activities to include those living with dementia, memory loss and their carers. Projects currently include our Library Choirs and Carousel of Stories.
The Library Choir
Harnessing the power of music, the Library Choir sessions are designed to bring meaningful activity to over 60s, including those living with dementia, to help combat loneliness and isolation.
The first choir launched in Longlevens Library and, due to its successes, two more choirs in Tuffley and Coleford have been funded by the National Lottery and welcome new members. The Library Choir is perfect for individuals and loved ones over the age of 60 who would like to connect with like-minded people through song.
What to Expect:
- A safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.
- Led by Fiona Taylor, the choirs feature a mix of music from pop to musicals, often ending with “Bring Me Sunshine.”
- Each session includes a brief talk about library services, breathing exercises, and time for socialising with refreshments.
Carousel of Stories
The Carousel of Stories project is an ongoing delivery of creative and engaging projects focused on inter-generational collaboration across libraries and community settings.
Tastes of Memory Recipe Book - A Celebration of Culinary Heritage
Our latest project Tastes of Memory – Reminiscence Recipe Book has now been launched! A heartfelt initiative that brings Gloucester’s senior community together through the power of food and storytelling.
Supported by Art’s Council England, Voices Gloucester and Blue-Sky Designs, this project preserves cherished family recipes, cultural traditions, and inter-generational connections that make our community so special.
Bringing Stories to Life
Through interactive workshops in libraries, care homes, schools, and community centres, we collected treasured recipes and memories, sparking conversations about tradition, heritage, and the love of food.
Artist Tom Cross beautifully illustrated these stories, capturing the essence of each shared memory with his evocative sketches—creating a visual and lasting tribute to our community’s culinary past.
Get Your Copy & Support the Community
Tastes of Memory booklets will be available for purchase, with £1 from each sale donated to The Alzheimer’s Society and the rest funding future community projects. Materials created at the workshops will also be on display in libraries from 14 April 2025.
A downloadable PDF is available for a suggested £3 donation. To purchase, visit our Make a Donation Library page and select "Other" to contribute.
Your support helps us create library activities that connect, inspire, and celebrate our community!
What’s Next on the Menu?
The Tastes of Memory journey continues! We’re thrilled to announce the next phase of this initiative—a community cooking event at Roots Café, inspired by Kim Edwards from the Gloucester Team.
This special gathering will bring together younger generations to cook recipes from the Tastes of Memory booklet, turning cherished stories into shared experiences. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a chance to strengthen inter-generational bonds and celebrate Gloucester’s rich culinary heritage in a hands-on, heartwarming way.
Favourite Places in Gloucestershire
Our previous Carousel of Stories invites you on a journey through time and memory with a rich collection of images and words. This exhibit, created in collaboration with Gloucestershire Archives, local care homes, and Barton and Tredworth Memory Café, features heartfelt conversations and individual memories captured by Jade L A Fisher photography.
Explore favourite places in Gloucestershire today to share in a collective love for the county we call home.
Come and see the exhibition at the following locations:
Longlevens Library | December 2024
TBC | January 2025
Gloucester Library | February 2025
Gloucestershire Heritage Hub | March 2025
Other projects which support our Over 65 community include:
Ageing with Creativity is supported by Arts Council England and The National Lottery.
