1.4 million older people in the UK are often lonely. Loneliness is a major issue that is now widely recognised in society today. Therefore, it is not surprising that a growing body of evidence suggests that people are healthier and happier when they experience acceptance, social belonging and community.

Folke Art is a pilot community art in health project led by Charlotte Chapman of Community Art Kent CIC in partnership with Sunflower House (A community hub in Folkestone). Folke Art is a free weekly community art class for adults aged 55+, that takes place in the new Sunflower House community room on The Bayle, in the heart of Folkestone (South East England). The creative classes prioritise the social: time to talk, exchange, make friends and build support networks, as well as the artistic: taking part in new creative activities, from bookbinding through to printmaking and sculpture.

The participants were people over 55 years old, living in Folkestone who rarely access the arts. Participants had a choice to engage with the project for as long as they like over a year, some dropped in and out and some attended and participated regularly. The Folke Art Pilot project engaged 47 people with 9 local artists delivering workshops and 4 new community partnerships developed.

An evalution of the Art was conducted by Professor Angela Pickard. Findings showed Folke Art provided opportunities for developing a sense of self and purpose for the participants. The project has also provided opportunities for people to connect, meet new friends from a range of different backgrounds and this supports the building of new skills, friendships and an artistic community. In addition, all the participants (100%) fed back about the value of learning new skills.

Folke Art is an example of a successful community art project but its success is due to the group interaction but also the project management and facilitation, from marketing, recruitment, retention to creation of a welcoming and supportive environment. The provision of regular, free, accessible,
and creative art classes that also offer opportunities for social connection.