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Common Connections

March 2021 - May 2021

A programme featuring a range of artists and artforms for people aged over 55 in North Tyneside with the aim of reducing loneliness.

Sue Warlock, Mindful Arts
People making prints

Contexts:

Ageing / Loneliness

Common Connections is a varied programme for people aged 55 and above living in North Tyneside to tackle loneliness and isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working with trusted partners Helix Arts are delivering creative and cultural activity helping combat loneliness between February and 30 May 2021.

Common Connections includes:

  • Spring into Action a programme of taster workshops with Age UK North Tyneside
  • The C Word with The North Shields Heritology Project. Bringing Sue Miller’s poem to life on film and giving people the chance to try their hand at writing
  • Movement Meets a series of dance workshops with choreographer Penella Styles
  • Neighbours and Strangers, a mixed media project with artist Alex Woolley with support from VODA with local residents – on doorsteps, streets, parks to gather stories around their current sense of belonging.

UPDATE
Common Connections was part of the arts and culture activities delivered as part of the DCMS Loneliness fund.  The evaluation of this project has now been published online and is available to read here. As stated by Arts Council England the positive impact of this work makes for ‘heart warming reading and remind us all why we do what we do’. You may also be interested in reading Rebecca Blackman blog post summarising the cultural sectors response to supporting communities during the pandemic here.

Image Credits (L to R):
Images 1: Sue Warlock, Mindful Arts / Image 2: Helix Arts, Ordinary Dreams, Extraordinary People / Image 3: Sue Warlock (artist), Helix Arts, Taster with WHIST

Thanks to our Project Partners

Common Connections is funded by Arts Council England on behalf of DCMS. This funding has been made available from the Covid-19 Charities Package schemes which includes, through other government departments, the Community Match Challenge, the Covid-19 Community Support Fund and the Big Night.

This project is delivered in partnership with a range of North Tyneside CVS organisations, including Age UK, Voda, Linskill Centre and The North Shields Heritology Project.

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