STORIES

Our participants stories

We aim for our programmes and projects to have a long lasting social and personal impact for people and communities. Find our how and why our work has changed peoples lives.

DEREK'S STORY

“It’s always important to keep your hands and head busy!”

Derek has discovered how the arts gives him the opportunity to keep busy and stay connected
As Derek has got older, he admits that daily life has become more limiting and he’s not able to get out and about as much as he used to. Derek knew he was at risk of feeling isolated and was looking for ways to get more involved with his community. By joining Creswell Gets Creative, a weekly arts group run by Junction Arts, Derek has discovered an accessible place where he learns new skills, has met new friends and has found a sense of belonging within his community. 

“It is difficult to feel close as a community as it grows and changes quickly. But this group gives us all a connection together.”

Now Derek has new hobbies that he continues to develop at home and a wonderful support network who have all kept in touch throughout lockdown.“It’s always important to keep your hands and head busy!”

“It is difficult to feel as close as a community as it grows and changed quickly. But this group gives us all a connection together”

Fiona’s picture shows her ‘Apple Tree’ tile that Fiona made nearly 20 years ago that has pride of place in her kitchen and every time she looks at it reminds her of happy memories of trying out something she would not normally have been able to. 

FIONA'S STORY

In the 1990s Junction Arts was based in Creswell at the Markland Campus, a learning centre affiliated to Sheffield University and an amazing community resource.

Fiona, a regular at Junction Arts workshops and activities has lived in Creswell for over 25 years with her 8 children. When her children were young, Fiona was always on the go keeping them entertained, she found she was in danger of feeling isolated and losing her identity.

The Junction Arts workshops and arts activities offered a great outlet for the whole family. Together they made long lasting memories and created work they were really proud of. One year one of her sons made a cardboard hat at the Bolsover Children’s Festival, he gave it to his Granddad who kept it for years until it disintegrated in pride of place on the piano.

The whole family became regular members coming to workshops at weekends and in the holidays. At school, her children always had stories to share about what they had created at the weekend! Attending the workshops got them all out of the house and enabled Fee to spend quality time with her children. It also made them feel connected to and part of their local community.

Throughout this time Fiona and her children’s perception of what art is changed. These workshops gave the family new experiences to connect with each other, they created so many special memories and built confidence to take up other opportunities.

Fiona feels she has passed on a love of arts to her children as their interests include visiting museums and historic houses, enjoying the countryside and one of her children now works in the creative industry as a video editor.

Today, Fiona works in Public Health for Derbyshire County Council. She knows first-hand the positive impact the arts can have on a person’s personal and family health and wellbeing. She not only incorporates the arts into her work but advocates on behalf of Junction Arts and has been lucky enough to work in partnership with Junction Arts recently in an art of letter writing project.

BEVERLEY'S STORY

"There’s art for everyone. I’ve been lucky to pursue something that makes me happy."

Beverley has attended every single Lantern Parade since it began in 1994. Her passion for this annual community event has been passed down to her children and now her grandchildren; making it a well-loved family tradition.

This is Beverley’s story in her own words…

“I remember the very first one; we all went in Victorian outfits made out of wedding dresses! I made glass jam-jar lanterns with the rainbows and brownies. It was wonderful to see everyone from Bolsover, looking around going ‘I know them, I know them’. I loved it. And I thought ‘I hope this carries on’.

I’ve been plagued with ill health all my life. I’m a severe asthmatic and arthritis throughout. Creativity takes me away from the pain and discomfort because you’re so focused on what you want to do. There’s art for everyone. I’ve been lucky to pursue something that makes me happy.

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I have continued to be involved with the Lantern Parades because It’s something to look forward to; it starts my Christmas period off properly. It means a lot; I like the planning stage as well as the creating stage. I have notebooks with drawings in and ideas, and I’ve passed it on to my son. My next generation of grandchildren are joining in now. I think even when I’m in a wheelchair, I’ll want pushing around it. My favourite part is the anticipation. I like to see people’s faces when I’m in the Parade. ‘Look at that, look at that one!’ It’s like being famous for 2 seconds. My moment of fame. I like the recognition for my work. It’s important to every single person whether they’re making a Christmas tree or the Cavalier on horseback. Most will be planning it all year. November is such a dark month and it’s a bit of colour to start off the Christmas period. It’s keeping me active, being able to walk it. Everybody needs something to look forward to.

It has kept my love of art going. As soon as you finish one lantern you start planning the next one. It’s made me want to go back to my arts and crafts in other areas and do some activities for my family members with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Bolsover has lost shops, the Swimming baths, the fireworks display; don’t let me lose the Lantern Parade! Even through illness, I’ve still carried on. It’s a way of life now, I can’t imagine not doing it.”

“Even through illness, I’ve still carried on. It’s a way of life now, I can’t imagine not doing it.”

“Creativity takes me away from the pain and discomfort because you’re so focused on what you want to do.”