Creative Generations

Launched in 2019, the Creative Generations project united elderly care homes residents, community participants and creative practitioners to explore memories through different art techniques and creative writing. This inspired the creation of a series of new short radio plays.

Over the pandemic the project evolved, offering older participants to opportunity to write a combination of radio plays and short stage plays, which were performed by a professional cast and presented on stage at the Marina Theatre and broadcast on BBC Radio Suffolk and Norfolk.

Strands of felt with different shades of green, blue, grey and black depicting an abstract countryside landscape
An older woman stands onstage in front of large pink swags of fabric. She is holding red, white and blur bunting and is swirling it around in the air.

  • "I found it rather surreal, sitting there in the auditorium, watching my play being performed, my characters brought to life by the brilliant cast."

    Community participant

  • “All those stories – once you start I found I could go on and on because you remember more details like chapters in a book.”

    Care Home participant

  • “This collaboration with Spinning Wheel has been an amazing opportunity for us and the residents really enjoyed it!”

    Care Home staff

  • “This has given me a real boost in my confidence and abilities. I have learnt so much and now feel able to express myself in a new way.“

    Community participant

  • “You’ve got us singing, writing, remembering and talking. I can’t praise it enough.”

    Care Home participant

  • “I have totally LOVED this - the teachers have been brilliant and I have actually produced a play that I am proud of - first time I've written anything like that since English O Level in 1976! Feel SO positive.”

    Community participant