We are delighted that National Lottery Heritage Fund with matched funding from local trusts are supporting our creative heritage outreach programme, connecting the Museum with our local communities.
From April 2022 to March 2025, the Museum is collaborating with project partners including Platform Housing and Worcester Community Trust, Malvern Cube, Age UK and Worcester Wheels, to deliver a ten week creative heritage wellbeing programme inspired by Worcester’s porcelain heritage.
Platform Housing sites including Park Heath, The Firs, Bilford Court, St Clement’s Close, Meadow Court, and Himbleton House have enjoyed interactive workshops enabling groups of older adults to meet regularly and engage in artistic practices over the course of three to four months. Often groups are made up of people coping with physical disabilities, mental health issues, or financial difficulties – people who frequently experience barriers to getting involved in our Museum activities. Former Royal Worcester artists also come along to sessions to share skills of ceramic painting and clay flower-modelling.
Evaluation so far shows the project is involving a wider range of people in understanding and enjoying their local heritage. Participants are developing a range of creative artistic skills inspired by the collection, including clay modelling, ceramic painting, drawing, and textiles.
Participants are reporting a wide range of mental and physical wellbeing benefits of the programme, looking forward to sessions, described as ‘incredibly relaxing’ and that they could just drift away’ for a couple of hours every week and immerse themselves in something fun and creative. One participant commented that she had been using her new skills to host craft clubs with her grandchildren every weekend. Another mentioned that their group was thinking of setting up their own weekly art session/coffee morning, so that they would ‘have an excuse to keep meeting each week’.
Sessions are also helping manage a range of chronic conditions including anxiety, pain management, and improved coordination and movement from arthritis . Some participants used to work at Royal Worcester and have enjoyed reminiscing and sharing stories.
Sessions have also been organised with community and youth groups including Malvern Cube, AgeUK Worcester and Worcester Wheels, as well as the Reflection and Recovery base at Bishop Perowne High School, tailoring activities to different interests and needs.
If you would like to find out more or are interested in participating in our programme, please email [email protected]