Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education, is seeking new Trustees to join its Board. Applications from across the UK and Ireland are welcome. Find out more at www.creative-lives.org/engage-seeks-new-trustees

Is your organisation looking for creative volunteers? Send us the details and we'll help spread the word on our website and social media. We feature volunteer posts from across the UK and Ireland. To see what info we need and how to submit it, visit www.creative-lives.org/submitting-a-volunteer-ad

📢 SOUTH WALES CREATIVES! 📢 Ready to see your group thrive? Join Making Music and Creative Lives for a FREE in-person event in Cardiff focused on Welcoming New Members! Book your free place now: www.creative-lives.org/Event/welcom...

It's not too late to sign up for our FREE online workshop 'Sharing Your Story With The Media' tomorrow morning (14 Nov) helping creative groups share their story and gain publicity. Register now at www.creative-lives.org/Event/sharin...

We're hiring! Visit our website to read all about our search for a new Place Director and a new Chief Executive. www.creative-lives.org/Work-with-us

Want to get your creative group noticed? We’re running two FREE online workshops to help you share your story with the media, and create great audio content. Join BBC producer John Offord for informative sessions on 14 & 28 Nov, 9-11am. Book your FREE place: www.creative-lives.org/news/free-wo...

"I thought I knew how to welcome people but have even more ideas now!" said one group organiser after we shared our new toolkit with them. So if you're looking to find, welcome, and keep new members then download your free copy from our website. www.creative-lives.org/weloming-new...

Creative Lives is looking for a new Chief Executive to lead its programme and team in an exciting new chapter. ✏ Deadline for applying: Monday 24 November 2025 www.creative-lives.org/creative-liv...

The search will soon be on for a new Chief Executive to lead Creative Lives. After 20 wonderful years helping to change the perception that everyday creativity is a 'nice to have' rather than something fundamental, Robin Simpson will retire in May 2026. www.creative-lives.org/news/chief-e...

Sign up for easyfundraising in time for Christmas! Raise money when your supporters shop online with retailers like Tesco, Etsy, Argos, M&S and 8,000 other popular stores. Retailers donate a proportion of what’s spent, at no cost to you or your supporters. Visit www.easyfundraising.org.uk/creative

Join our team! We're currently looking for a Place Director to lead Creative Lives’ place-based work across the UK and Ireland, and to be our lead officer in Scotland. Deadline: 7 Nov. www.creative-lives.org/place-director

We were delighted to see our former award winners The Sunday Boys win 'Best New Project' at this year's @makingmusicuk.bsky.social Awards! Congratulations to them, the rest of the winners, and everyone shortlisted.

We're delighted to see this new fund from Arts Council of Wales open to creative community groups across Wales. Find out more at www.creative-lives.org/creative-communities-wales

There are SO many benefits linked to creative participation, and we've gathered the research together so you don't have to! Download our guide to the proven impact of grassroots creativity to add weight to your funding applications. www.creative-lives.org/the-proven-impact-of-grassroots-creativity

Join Creative Lives, and our guest from Dadesley Crafting, online on Thursday 23 October to discuss ways to reach, attract, welcome (and keep!) new members to your creative group. www.creative-lives.org/Event/welcom...

On National Poetry Day we're taking a moment to look back at our two fabulous poetry projects: My Time and My Creative Time, inspired by creative activities people love to do. Here's one of the entries we received. Read more at www.creative-lives.org/mytime and www.creative-lives.org/my-creative-...

What does it feel like to walk into your creative group for the first time? Join our free online session on Thu 23 Oct, 6.30pm for tips and ideas on how to encourage people to join your group - and how to help them feel welcome and informed when they do! www.creative-lives.org/Event/welcom...

"It was so lovely to meet like-minded and uplifting people", "More sessions like this please!"- we were delighted to receive such great feedback from our workshop on looking after the artist/facilitator at Island Arts Centre in Lisburn, NI yesterday!

Glasgow Southside Crafters (pictured) are the latest group to be added to our 'Creativity Map'. If your group isn't on it, head to our website now to fill out the short form - and get yourself on the map! www.creative-lives.org/creativity-map

Are volunteers well looked after in your creative group? Our latest micro-grant competition is all about volunteers, and how to make sure they feel supported, appreciated and cared for. Find out how you could win £250/€290 at www.creative-lives.org/how-do-you-l.... Deadline: 30 Sept.

Could you help us champion, support, promote and nurture local creative groups in order to build more sustainable communities? We're looking for volunteer advisors from a range of experiences and backgrounds to contribute to our work across the UK & Ireland. www.creative-lives.org/creative-liv...

We had fun at our first creative session in Rotherham this week! It's one of many FREE workshops coming up in September at the Imperial Buildings, in partnership with Children's Capital of Culture, Flux Rotherham and BBC Radio Sheffield. Visit www.creative-lives.org/rotherhamwor... for details.

We were delighted to meet the Culture Night team when they visited our Creative Places: Edenderry project recently. We're excited to be supporting two events as part of this annual creative extravaganza on 19 September (a community mural and open mic night). Find out more at culturenight.ie

We're running a packed programme of fun FREE creative events for people of all ages in Rotherham this month. From toddlers to adults, there's something for everyone at the Imperial Building. Just turn up! Visit www.creative-lives.org/rotherhamwor... for dates, times and details.

Do you know an arts hero? Nominations are open for the 2025 Sky Arts Hero Award, celebrating the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes - including community volunteers. So nominate that special person in your creative group now! skyartsawards.sky/arts-hero-aw... youtu.be/x_mQikXC7y0

There's still time to get involved in European Folk Day on Tue 23 Sep. Whether you're part of a band, festival, club, community group or more, any activity related to folk music, dance or storytelling can be added to their website, or search for a local event. Find out more at www.europeanfolkday.eu

Our friends at @weareherescot.bsky.social are exploring wellbeing for Black and Global Majority creatives in Scotland's creative industries. They're looking for participants for group interviews this Sep/Oct across Scotland. Find out more at www.creativebalance.scot

A new funding pot from The Scottish Government and @inspiringscotland.bsky.social is offering up to £35,000 to support community-based organisations in Scotland delivering participatory arts. Find out more at www.creative-lives.org/creative-com...

Are volunteers an important part of your group? Tell us how you look after them, and help them feel supported and appreciated, and you could win a £250 micro-grant! We're looking for great examples to share with others. Deadline: 29 Aug. www.creative-lives.org/how-do-you-l...

This quote from our Q&A with a fundraiser is just one of the helpful sections in our FREE guide ‘Cash For Culture’. In it you'll find details of hundreds of funders, a guide to writing funding applications, ideas for local fundraising and much more. www.creative-lives.org/cash-for-culture-england

Are volunteers well looked after in your creative group? We're looking for top tips, great ideas and innovative examples of how to make sure volunteers feel supported and appreciated. And we'll give a £250 micro-grant to our favourite entry! Find out more at: www.creative-lives.org/how-do-you-l...

Want to attract new members or volunteers? Want to help demonstrate how important creativity is to local communities? Then add your creative group or project to the Creative Lives 'Creativity Map'. Simply fill out the short form on our website www.creative-lives.org/creativity-map

Creative Lives is seeking a freelance Community Producer to deliver a six-month programme of creative development and radio broadcast content in Slough as part of our Creative Lives On Air collaboration with @bbcberkshire.bsky.social. www.creative-lives.org/community-pr...

Creative Lives has teamed up with easyfundraising to help distribute their FREE fundraising pack. easyfundraising is a great way to raise unrestricted money for your group, simply by doing your usual shopping online. Register at www.easyfundraising.org.uk/creative

Would you like to help us champion, support, promote and nurture local creative groups? Then become one of our volunteer advisers! We're looking for people from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, with a passion for everyday creativity. www.creative-lives.org/creative-liv...

Huge congratulations to PRIME, the Scottish dance company for over 60s, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary by publishing a beautiful book charting their journey. Find out more at primeat10.com @dancebase.bsky.social

Does your creative group work with people living with Parkinson's? Then the @parkinsons.org.uk grants for physical activity could be for you! Find out more at www.creative-lives.org/parkinsons-u...

Interested in creative health? We've just published our report on the creative health sector in Tendring, Essex - including a series of recommendations on how to help the sector flourish. Free to download at www.creative-lives.org/mapping-creative-health-in-tendring

Join our online meet-up on Mon 9 Jun, 7-8pm as we discuss how to tackle uncomfortable situations with empathy and understanding. With guest, Gary Gardiner of 21 Common. Book your free place now at www.creative-lives.org/Event/creati...

It's Small Charity Week this week, and if your group has been thinking of becoming a registered charity, check out our page of helpful info, and two Q&As with creative groups that have taken the plunge! www.creative-lives.org/becoming-a-c...

We're looking forward to delivering a series of FREE artist development workshops at Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, NI over the next few months. Our first session on Fri 27 Jun is 'Your Best Creative Workshop Yet: Planning, Designing and Delivering'. Join us! islandartscentre.com/event/artist...

Looking for funding for your creative group? Then dive into our brand new free publication, 'Cash for Culture' filled with tips, ideas and links to funders. Designed for groups in England, much of it applies across the UK. Download your copy here: www.creative-lives.org/cash-for-cul...

Has your creative group used social media to great effect? Want to win a £250 micro-grant? We're looking for examples of impactful and imaginative ways that groups have used social media. We'll give a £250 grant to our favourite example! Deadline: 30 June. www.creative-lives.org/news/win-a-2...

We're hiring! Creative Lives is seeking a part-time Community Producer to support and promote grassroots creative activity in Slough, in partnership with BBC Radio Berkshire. Deadline: 23 June www.creative-lives.org/community-pr...

Coming soon - Make Music Day UK! An annual celebration of music-making that takes place in communities across the world on 21 June 2025. To see the events planned, or to take part, visit makemusicday.co.uk

Upcoming event: Creative Network Theatre Monday 9 June, 7.00-8.00pm How can we encourage a culture of support and respect in our theatres and drama groups? With guest Gary Gardiner, Artistic Director of 21 Common. In partnership with Little Theatre Guild. www.creative-lives.org/Event/creati...

Reading Green Park station had a makeover recently, when poems borne out of workshops we ran for members of Whitley Growallot community allotment were installed to entertain and inspire train travellers. Read all about it here: www.creative-lives.org/News/communi...

At the heart of Creative Lives' work is the belief that everyone can have fun being creative. So hats off to Zest Tone Deaf Choir in Bristol, who welcome "people who think they can’t sing but want to do it anyway!" Read all about them in this BBC interview: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Fancy learning a beautiful song about the Water of Leith in Edinburgh? Creative Lives is working with songwriter Kim Edgar to run a fun 'come and sing' session at Leith Festival on Sat 14 June, followed by a performance on the gala stage. Pay what you can! www.creative-lives.org/Event/the-ri...

Wishing grassroots community arts organisation Raspberry Creatives in Port Talbot a happy 2nd birthday! Over the past two years, they've reached over 10,000 people through creative events and workshops - and their upcoming Fun Day on 3 May sounds great! Best of luck with the crowdfunding campaign. 🤞