Project to Combat Loneliness Comes to a Close

A TWO-year arts project aimed at combating isolation in South Tyneside is coming to an end after working with hundreds of people.

The Cultural Spring Charity launched its Know Your Neighbourhood project in July 2023, using a series of targeted workshops and other activity to reduce loneliness across the borough. The Cultural Spring also distributed dozens of craft packs to people unable to attend in-person workshops.

As part of the overall programme, The Cultural Spring worked with four local churches on a Welcoming Places project. Artists worked with the churches – St Simon’s in Simonside, St John’s in Jarrow, St Paul’s in Jarrow and St Peter’s in Jarrow – to provide craft workshops for dozens of people.

Emma Sheridan, an artist who worked on the programme at St Peter’s, explained her involvement: “We have worked on the project for a few months – our participants have had the opportunity to socialise, get warm and be creative.

“We have worked with lots of mediums - silk painting, no-sew appliqué, decoupage, printmaking and mosaic. The group members have really enjoyed all of the different mediums.

“The participants have produced some beautiful work but it’s really the creative process which is so positive and encouraging. Some of the group members maybe experiencing loneliness, some have physical and mental disabilities and producing art enables them to relax, feel enjoyment and be proud of what they have achieved.

“I do believe art is a powerful tool and can help the participants to focus and briefly forget about the difficulties they may be facing in life. even for a short period of time. Although this is not therapy it does have a calming and relaxing effect.”

As part of the overall project comedian John Scott led a series of stand-up comedy workshops for Age Concern, which helped participants overcome shyness.

John said: “Working with the gentlemen of Age Concern was a huge success, with our closing session receiving a round of applause from the group. It was the first time I’d engaged with older people in a comedy workshop setting.

“The men engaged enthusiastically with numerous brainstorming writing exercises designed to encourage us to view the world through a comedic lens. Their input was quite revelatory.

“One of the aims of our workshops was to spark discussions about shared exeriences, and they had a lot to contribute. They all engaged enthusiastically with the comedy writing exercises and many, many funny pieces of writing emerged over the four weeks.

“We also took a look at some stand-ups relevant to their age group.

“The final takeaway was a staff member mentioning that, as a group, they rarely open up or discuss anything, and the workshops had seen a new form of dialogue emerging from the group.”

A pop-up choir was also part of the Know Your Neighbourhood project. The choir enabled people who were unable to commit to regular dates and times to come together to meet new people and enjoy the well-being benefits of singing together. The pop-up choirs, which are ongoing, have been led by singer and musician Jen Stevens.

Emma Horsman, Project Director of The Cultural Spring, said: “Through our Know Your Neighbourhood project we have been able to deliver a number of creative projects across South Tyneside including workshops in community venues and supported housing, craft packs, craft packs for those unable to attend in-person events and our popular pop-up choir.

“The project has benefitted more than 500 people as participants and through volunteering opportunities.”

Support for the project came from the South Tyneside Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, part of a national fund run by the government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

The South Tyneside Know Your Neighbourhood Fund is part of the Government’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund being run by DCMS (facilitated by Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland).

In line with the Government’s requirements for the fund nationally, it supports activities across South Tyneside that enable meaningful and impactful volunteering, and tackle loneliness. Funding helps communities to participate in local projects which build their skills, wellbeing and social networks, using new methods of engagement and initiatives that seek to increase volunteering.