Connecting For Creativity
An afternoon of drama, prose and song - inspired by the voices of the community and brought to life by Buxton schools.
The Connecting for Creativity Project was the culmination of six months of creative work across Buxton, made possible through generous funding from Hall Bank Trust and Arts Council England. This free intergenerational pilot project was designed to bridge the gap between young and old generations by pairing care homes and assisted living facilities with local schools, allowing participants to make new connections and learn about one another and the town they live in.
The process began with practitioner and storymaker Kat Hughes, who spent time with residents in care homes and assisted living facilities to compile cherished memories of their lives in Buxton. These memories were then woven into short scripts and brought into partner schools, where students worked with directors Allie Spencer and Elle Hibbert to bring the narratives to life. Some of the scenes were then taken back to Hartington Gardens and the Care homes to be recorded as voiceovers which form the core of the performances.
Musical Director Ray McLeod led spirited sessions in the care homes to identify the residents’ most beloved songs, which the students learned and performed in the final showcase at the Pavilion Arts Centre. Following the performance, the schools visited their partner care homes with their finished drama pieces and had an intergenerational communal singing session, ensuring those unable to attend the Pavilion Arts Centre could still enjoy and engage with the final performance.
Winner of 'Excellence in Arts Education' at UK Theatre Awards 2026.
“The final performance was wonderful! The children performing and the voice overs from the older people. It was quite moving to hear their memories in their voices.”
“The residents that participated enjoyed the sessions and especially enjoyed listening out for their voices at the full performances. It made them feel like celebrities!”
