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Skylark Cafe

Discover the impact of our creative space for under-served community members

Everyone’s physical and mental health can benefit from taking part in creative activities.

But there can be many obstacles preventing older people and those with ongoing medical issues from getting involved. So, how could we remove some of the barriers to participation?

12 sessions

delivered across the project

220 participants

attended events

27 artists

delivered sessions

The big idea

Skylark Cafe was conceived as a monthly arts and social club where vulnerable adults could gather in an environment which was safe for those with underlying health conditions, as well as being inspiring and fun.

Image Gallery

People participating in a social activity, mostly seated, some in wheelchairs, make shapes in the air with their hands
Pete Woodhead
View larger image 1 of 5. People participating in a social activity, mostly seated, some in wheelchairs, make shapes in the air with their hands
An older person sits in a chair laughing. He's at a social event, behind him are people chatting and an upright piano
Pete Woodhead
View larger image 2 of 5. An older person sits in a chair laughing. He's at a social event, behind him are people chatting and an upright piano
A group of people explore a table full of materials like wood and plastic
Kadiatou Diallo
View larger image 3 of 5. A group of people explore a table full of materials like wood and plastic
Pete Woodhead
View larger image 4 of 5.
View larger image 5 of 5.

Making it happen

Borrowing its name from a restaurant at the 1951 Festival of Britain, Skylark Cafe was created in collaboration with artist and storyteller Bernadette Russell and local charity partners including Southwark Memory Services and Southwark Wellbeing Service.

Over 12 sessions, participants explored creative writing, music and various visual and performance arts. Russell led these sessions along with an expert in the featured artform – many of whom had not been involved in this kind of community initiative before.

 

‘I found the Skylark Cafe sessions really uplifting’

a regular participant in our Skylark Cafe initiative

Impact & outcomes

In its first year, 220 participants attended Skylark Cafe events. Session after session was filled to capacity, and the majority of attendees came along regularly.

A total of 27 artists were involved in delivering the sessions, and many have told us they are now interested in launching similar programmes in their local communities.

 

‘Projects such as these are vital for people like myself with underlying health conditions to meet new people in a safe social environment.’

Skylark Cafe participant

‘The team is just amazing, so dedicated to making the few hours we spend together enjoyable for all.’

Skylark Cafe participant

Learnings & future plans

With the expanded reach of this project, it has evolved in line with its beneficiaries’ needs to become Skylark Sessions. This gives participants a more in-depth experience, by focusing on one artform over a six-week series.

City Bridge Foundation is generously funding the continuing Skylark Sessions.

Supported by

Terra Firma
City Bridge Foundation

Contact us

Contact our Arts and Wellbeing team to find out about being part of our work.

[email protected]

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