Suffolk Artlink which is a participatory arts charity which develops and delivers inclusive arts programmes in communities that bring change to peoples' lives.
We work with people who face barriers to taking part in the arts including young people, older people, family carers and people with learning disabilities.
Our work helps people enjoy improved wellbeing and confidence, develop their artistic and life skills and build new friendships and support networks.
Our activities are led by experience arts practitioners, encompass a rich variety of art forms and are delivered in close partnership with care, education, voluntary and community organisations.
Make, Do & Friends
One of our current programmes is 'Make, Do & Friends' which is a partnership project between Suffolk Artlink, Dance East and the Rural Coffee Caravan. It aims to initiate new creative groups in rural locations specifically targeting rurally isolated older people. Together we devise programmes of creative social events for adults (55+) in villages and towns in Mid Suffolk and Babergh.
The creative events are delivered by a team of experienced artists: from poets, dancers and image makers to paper, theatre and printmakers.
It was due to start in Combs shortly before we were all overtaken by Covid 19.
However as an interim measure the programme has been adapted to run remotely across a range of contact routes, including phone, post and online, to engage with participants and create work specifically around the theme of 'What is my village made of?'
Although the programme has not been able to start in Combs yet we would very much welcome people in Combs who are interested to join in the remote activities which are being run whilst we remain locked down.
Make, Do & Friends blog site
This week, photographer Gillian Allard gives us some tips on how to get interesting angles and effects on our mobile phone camera - and offers to create unique 'photo grids' of your images.
Last week's artist, Jacqui Campbell, has posted lots of images in response to her activity and will continue to work on material sent in by you, and Dean is still up for some more creative conversations, so if anyone would like to chat with him about their village and create a piece of writing about what makes it special for them, just let me know and I'll arrange it.
We also post out material, for which I need an address - so again, if either you, or someone you know, would like to take part in Make, Do & Friends via post or phone calls, please let me know.
Carrie Phoenix
Project Development Officer
Suffolk Artlink
Units 13 & 14
Malt Store Annex
The Cut, 8 New Cut
Halesworth
IP19 8BY
01986 873955
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