Northamptonshire-based community arts programme, Made in Corby, has received a funding boost from the ScottishPower Foundation to support its latest initiative 'Time To...Create' which aims to bring older people together in a creative environment to boost wellbeing and reduce isolation. The funding means more than 100 workshops will be delivered by March 2020. 

Corby is the fastest-growing borough in the UK outside of London, and over 65s now account for 17.3 per cent of the local population. Through creative activities, the 'Time To...' project seeks to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce loneliness in this ageing population by providing fun and creative ways to encourage older people to remain active in the community - both physically and mentally.  

By March 2020, venues across Corby will have played host to more than 100 workshops led by professional musical, theatrical and visual artists thanks to the funding addition from ScottishPower Foundation. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in collaborative projects across a broad spectrum of mediums including dance and performance, music and singing, creative writing, painting and sculpting. 

As part of the project, Made in Corby is working in partnership with local care homes, day centres and community venues to provide an opportunity for older people to come together and tackle social isolation. 

Vicky Frayard, Producer, at Made in Corby, said: "People in the UK are living longer than ever before, but all too often this comes at a cost. Many older people are left isolated and vulnerable, unable to connect with others or maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

“We’re so grateful for the funding provided by the ScottishPower Foundation which has allowed us to open up the workshops to even more people and has let us partner with some of the most creative people in the region. There is so much creativity being displayed by the older participants involved, and even just a few months in we’ve seen some amazing pieces of work being produced. The final Takeover event in March is shaping up to be an extraordinary celebration of Corby’s creativity."

The programme will culminate in a showcase event ‘Time To...Takeover’ on 13th and 14th March 2020 which will take place at The Core at Corby Cube. This will be a spectacular two-day celebration of the participants’ experiences and achievements throughout the programme.

As part of the 'Time To...' project, Corby residents over the age of 65 have had the opportunity to visit professional productions at The Royal and Derngate, Northampton and Leicester Curve.

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee of the ScottishPower Foundation, added: "Made in Corby’s ‘Time To…Create’ project is a fantastic example of the enormous impact something as simple as the opportunity to think creatively can have on people’s lives. 

"Social isolation, particularly for older people, is rapidly becoming one of the biggest challenges of modern times. By bringing people together and giving them the skills and the tools through which to express themselves, we’re delighted to see this project making so much headway towards tackling this issue. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the participants’ experiences over the coming months."

The ScottishPower Foundation was established in 2013 and provides funding to registered charities which are involved in the advancement of education, environmental protection, citizenship and community development. The Foundation also supports organisations working in science, the arts, heritage or culture as well as the prevention of poverty and relief of disability or other disadvantages. 

For further information, please contact Jen Ward or Zoë Dunnett at Stripe Communications on 0131 561 8628 or spfoundation@stripecommunications.com.

Notes to Editors

ScottishPower Foundation 

The ScottishPower Foundation is a registered Scottish charity (SC043862) and a company limited by guarantee (SC445116). The Foundation’s aim is to make a significant and lasting contribution to society and enhance the quality of life in local communities. It provides funding to registered charities for the following purposes: the advancement of education; the advancement of environmental protection; the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science; the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of disability or other disadvantage; the advancement of citizenship and community development.

Made in Corby

Made in Corby is a community-led arts programme which produces events and activities designed to surprise, delight and inspire local people. The programme aims to inspire more local Corby people than ever before to take the lead in experiencing, creating and taking part in high-quality arts and cultural activities. Through conversations with local people and community decision-making panels, Made In Corby puts local people at the heart of commissioning artists and producing new and exciting events. Made in Corby is part of a national Creative People & Places network, funded by Arts Council England to increase engagement in the arts in areas where people have fewer opportunities to get involved. Made In Corby is steered by a consortium, led by registered charity Groundwork Northamptonshire (1114205).