We're pleased to announce details of two different creative training sessions this October and November designed to stimulate creative activities with older people and to boost skills and confidence for activity leaders.
Creative learning and Crafting Workshop – Friday 30 October
Creative facilitator and trainer Claire Ford, will lead a morning of creative learning and crafting hosted by Long Meadow Care Home. The session will explore how creativity can be used to support engagement and enriching experiences for older people. Taking Autumn as the theme, attendees will explore a range of different art forms, trying out simple and adaptable creative activities that can easily be taken back and replicated in their own care settings.
The session will be practical, inspiring and hands-on, giving everyone the chance to share ideas, explore new approaches and discover ways to make creativity a part of everyday life in care.
Attendees will gain understanding about how to: plan and set up an accessible, appropriate craft activity; lead hands-on creative exploration and measure the impact of the activity.
Claire Ford has worked across the field of Creative Ageing for more than 15 years, developing and delivering a wide range of innovative and engaging creative initiatives. She’s currently Head of Participation and Impact at Rural Arts. Alongside this role, Claire continues to work on a range of freelance projects and initiatives, sharing her knowledge, experience and passion for making creativity accessible and meaningful for older people.
Tell Me A Story Training – Monday 30 November
We are delighted to be welcoming Handmade Theatre back to Ripon, where they will be delivering practical and inspiring training in the area of reminiscence to care workers, activity coordinators and volunteers. Attendees can choose from either a morning or afternoon session at Lister House.
Handmade Theatre dedicate a significant part of their practice to supporting older adults, particularly those living with dementia and cognitive impairments. Their approach is evidence-based and highly empathetic. We saw this in July at RTF when Handmade Theatre entertained residents at: Boroughbridge Manor; Borrage House; Sycamore Hall and Lister House with their nostalgic show Life at the Lido.
Handmade Theatre’s two hour Tell Me a Story session will explore how creativity, storytelling, objects, music and making can be used to support connection, reminiscence and wellbeing.
No talent required, just enthusiasm and desire to use creativity as a tool to boost well-being and connection. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with fresh ideas, practical tools and plenty of inspiration to take back to their own settings.
Who can get involved and how?
We look forward to reconnecting with staff members and volunteers from care settings that have previously worked with RTF and to seeing some new faces too!
These training opportunities are FREE for all attendees thanks to public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England with additional support from Two Ridings Foundation and The Big Give.
AND, if you’re a paid member of staff at a care home in the Ripon area, your care home may be eligible to receive a contribution towards the costs associated with your attendance. Please get in touch directly to find out more. Contact hannah@ripontheatrefestival.org
Early booking is strongly recommended as places on all training sessions are limited.
Creative Learning and Crafting Workshop
Friday 30 October 2026 | 10.30am-12pm
Long Meadow Care Home, Ripon.
Tell Me a Story Training
Monday 30 November 2026 | 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm
Lister House, Ripon.
