Creative groups across the UK and Ireland celebrated at prestigious national awards
- Creative Lives, the registered charity that champions community and volunteer-led arts activity, is delighted to announce the winners of the 2024 Creative Lives Awards.
- The Creative Lives Awards celebrate the incredible achievements of groups and projects providing creative activity for people of all ages and abilities across England, Ireland/Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
- A winner and runner-up was chosen from each nation. Wiltshire-based Trowbridge Service Users Group won the England Award. They received an award and framed certificate, cash prize and free access to all of Creative Lives future online training sessions.
- Trowbridge Service Users Group is a peer support group for people experiencing mental health difficulties. Participants engage in regular arts and craft activities to foster creative expression, build friendships and increase skills. For more information about the group, please visit www.creative-lives.org/trowbridge-service-users-group
- Representatives from the winning groups attended an inspirational ceremony at Cecil Sharp House in London on Thursday 26 September to receive their awards.
Mark Marshall from Trowbridge Service Users Group said: “Hearing that we had won a Creative Lives Award was a huge surprise. We see ourselves as a small but steadily growing group, moving in the right direction. The publicity that Trowbridge Service Users Group will gain from this should really propel us forward, helping more people learn about our service. Our members already know how much the group benefits their lives, and we’re thrilled that others will now recognise the value of a safe and creative space.”
Robin Simpson, Chief Executive of Creative Lives said: “The Creative Lives Awards consistently reveal the extraordinary impact of volunteer-led creative groups. This year’s winners demonstrate – yet again – the vital role such groups play in building stronger, more resilient communities. At a time when so many are experiencing isolation and uncertainty, these groups offer a lifeline of connection, shared purpose and joy.”
Ministers across the UK and Ireland sent their congratulations to the winning groups.
The UK Government’s Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said: “Finding the time and space to be creative can allow people of all ages and backgrounds to use their imaginations and create beautiful artwork, write thought provoking poetry and express themselves through music and dance, for example. That’s why we want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to get creative, not just the privileged few.
I would like to offer a special congratulation to Trowbridge Service Users Group and say thank you to all the groups shortlisted for this year’s Creative Lives Awards for the work they do improving and transforming lives in communities across the country.”
Notes to Editors:
For more information about the Creative Lives Awards, please visit:
www.creative-lives.org/awards
For information, photographs and interview opportunities with the winners, please contact Kelly Donaldson at kelly@creative-lives.org or tel: 07843 056023.
Creative Lives (formerly Voluntary Arts) is a registered charity that was established in 1991. We champion community and volunteer-led creative activity, and work to improve opportunities for everyone to be creative. In particular, we celebrate and promote people expressing themselves creatively with others, recognising the benefits this can bring.
The Creative Lives Awards (formerly the Epic Awards) started in 2010, as a way to celebrate and spotlight the incredible achievements of groups and projects providing creativity activity for people of all ages and abilities across the UK and Ireland.
ENDS…/
Creative Lives Charity Limited is registered in Scotland as Company No. 139147 and Charity No. SC 020345. Registered office: The Melting Pot, 15 Carlton Road, Edinburgh EH8 8DL. Voluntary Creativity CLG (operating as Creative Lives) is registered in Ireland as Company No. 592958. Registered office: c/o 35 Doughcloyne Court Industrial Estate, Sarsfield Road, Cork T12 T207.
Creative Lives acknowledges funding from Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and The Arts Council of Ireland.
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