Creative Age at Bethesda Methodist Church, Cheltenham
Creative Age is for people with dementia and their supporters/carers who live independently in Cheltenham. Sessions take place at Bethesda Methodist Church. Creative sessions are followed by tea and cake with the chance to socialise and get to know each other better.
We work in a group, exploring creatively through seated movement, dance, words, collective story-making, music, singing, visual arts and poetry – all inspired by the participants’ interests.
Supporters/carers can choose to join in with creative sessions, or enjoy the hospitality and friendship offered by Bethesda volunteers, or simply take the time and space to do what they wish.
Assistance with travel can be offered if required.
Where: Bethesda Methodist Church, Great Norwood Street, Cheltenham, GL50 2AP
Time: First and Third Thursday of every month 1.30 – 4pm. Booking is essential!
Cost: Suggested donation of £5 per person, which includes refreshments
We will be taking a break in August 2025.
For more information, please contact Rachel Simpson on 01242 269803 or email: rachel.simpson@bethesda-church.org.uk
How to join
Click here to download an application form or complete our on-line form.
Listen to our participants tell you why they come along to Creative Age sessions
Read about our Creative Age project in MHA Brockworth House
Read about the day we put on a performance!
Find out more about Creative Age
Creative Age is an arts-based, social community project for people living with early to mid-stage dementia and their carers who live independently.
The Creative Age team
Open Arms, Bethesda Methodist Church and Managing Memory Together (part of Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust) have run the project in partnership since May 2018.
Creative Age is an open and inclusive group. We receive referrals via Managing Memory Together, Alzheimer’s Society Memory Cafés, Age UK and word of mouth but anyone is free to contact us and self-refer. We want to reach out to people who are living with dementia and their carers in Cheltenham.
Creative Age was set up to enrich peoples’ lives, reduce isolation, enable participants to engage imaginatively and socially, build their confidence and improve their wellbeing.
Lindsay Williams, Senior Dementia Assessor writes:
“Dementia destroys people’s confidence and self-worth. Creative Age makes people realise that they have a significant part in the community, enabling them to go away and function better due to their increased confidence and well-being.”
“Creative Age is a unique initiative that enables people with dementia to engage in activities that provide both cognitive stimulation and the opportunity to socialise with others. This helps reduce social isolation and can help improve day-to-day functioning. Being involved in therapeutic activities also improves people’s confidence and self-worth which is often reduced for people with dementia.”
“The pandemic has brought into sharp focus the importance of groups such as Creative Age which offer such support, comfort and pleasure.”
You can find out what we get up to on a sessional basis through the Open Arms Facebook page here.
Click here to read more about The Story of Creative Age During the Pandemic
Creative Age is currently funded on a project basis by Gloucestershire County Council’s Thriving Communities, Gloucestershire Community Foundation main grant programme and Cheltenham Borough Council health and wellbeing grant in partnership with Bethesda Methodist Church and NHS Managing Memory Together.
We also appreciate the generous donations from individuals and supporters, who continue to champion what we do. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.
We also value our community partnerships including Cheltenham Dementia Action Alliance, The Wilson museum on wheels project, The Roses Theatre and our intergenerational work with St John’s Primary and Chosen Hill School.