Creative Connections for Men

NAPA PROJECT · FUNDED BY THE BARING FOUNDATION

Creativity can reconnect us.

A NAPA project using meaningful creative activity to help reduce loneliness, isolation and low mood among older men living in care settings and in the community.

Developed through research, feedback from the NAPA Support Service and the experiences of activity providers, care teams, family carers and older men themselves.

WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS

Creativity can offer more than something to do.

Meaningful creative activity can give older men opportunities to express themselves, share experiences, use their skills, contribute and connect with others.

But activity opportunities do not always reflect men’s individual interests, identities and life experiences. Creative Connections for Men has been developed to explore what helps older men engage and how creativity can support connection, purpose and wellbeing.

WHAT THE EVIDENCE TOLD US

The need for connection is clear.

940,000

People aged 65 and over experience chronic loneliness.

9 in 10

People who are often lonely also report low mood or depression.

Around 40%

Of people living in care homes experience depression.

Older men

May be less likely to express emotional need or seek support, particularly when changes in life affect identity, roles and purpose.

The literature also highlighted the potential of creative participation to support wellbeing, connection and self-expression, alongside a gap in opportunities designed around older men’s interests, identities and life experiences.

Meet our Artistic Adviser: Professor Alan Dunn

Professor Alan Dunn joins Creative Connections for Men as the project’s Artistic Adviser. Drawing on more than 30 years of socially engaged arts practice, including extensive work with older people and people living with dementia, Alan will review and help shape the project’s practical resource and e-learning courses.

He brings a critical artistic perspective, helping us champion creative choice, challenge stereotypes about older men’s interests, and ensuring the resources support artists to build meaningful relationships in care homes and community settings.

Alan’s expertise will help place creativity, individual expression and genuine participation at the heart of the project.

Our Care Home Partner: Springcare

Springcare is working with NAPA as the care home partner for Creative Connections for Men. Led by Lead Activity Provider Alan Southall, the Springcare team will facilitate focus groups with older male residents, creating opportunities for them to share their experiences, interests and ideas.

These conversations will help us understand what creativity means to older men, what encourages or prevents them from participating, and how access to meaningful creative opportunities can be improved within care homes.

The residents’ voices will directly inform the project’s practical resource and e-learning courses, ensuring they are grounded in lived experience and reflect what older men genuinely value.

“We are delighted to have both Professor Alan Dunn and Springcare on board. Alan’s artistic expertise, combined with the insight and lived experiences of male residents who live in care homes provided by Springcare, will help us develop resources that are imaginative, practical and genuinely relevant to older men. Their involvement will ensure that creativity, choice and the voices of older people remain at the heart of this project.”

Hilary Woodhead, CEO, NAPA

FUNDED BY

The Baring Foundation

Creative Connections for Men is made possible with funding from The Baring Foundation.

Their support enables NAPA to bring together research, frontline experience and the voices of older men to develop practical creative approaches that support connection, identity, purpose and wellbeing.

This funding is helping us turn what we have heard and learned into practical resources, learning and support that can make a difference across care and community settings.

WHAT ACTIVITY PROVIDERS TOLD US

They were asking for more than activity ideas.

Through the NAPA Support Service, we have heard from activity providers looking for guidance on engaging older men, particularly individuals who may be withdrawn, isolated or reluctant to take part.

They told us they needed more support with creative approaches that reflect individual interests, engaging men who are withdrawn, supporting low mood and creating opportunities for purpose, contribution and connection.

What came through strongly was that activity providers did not simply need more activities. They wanted practical guidance to help them understand disengagement, build trust and create experiences that feel relevant and meaningful.

FROM LISTENING TO ACTION

What we heard shaped what happens next.

Research

Our literature review explored loneliness, low mood, creativity and the experiences of older men, giving the project a strong evidence base.

Frontline experience

Feedback through the NAPA Support Service showed where activity providers and care teams needed more practical guidance and support.

Lived experience

Older men, family carers and the people who support them will help us develop approaches that reflect real interests, identities and experiences.

Research

Literature Review: Older Men, Creativity and Mental Wellbeing in Care Settings

This literature review explores the evidence around older men, loneliness, depression and meaningful engagement, highlighting how creative and purposeful activity can support mental wellbeing, connection and a continued sense of identity.

Creative Engagement Meaningful Engagement Mental Health Professional Development Social Connection

THE RESEARCH

THE EVIDENCE BEHIND THE PROJECT

Explore the evidence behind Creative Connections for Men

Our literature review explored what existing research tells us about older men, loneliness, low mood and creative participation.

The findings helped establish the evidence base for Creative Connections for Men and directly informed how the project has developed.

WHAT WE WILL DO

Turning insight into practical support.

Practical creative resource

We will co-produce a freely available resource with older men and the people who support them, with creative approaches built around interests, identity, skills and life experiences.

Strengthen the NAPA Support Service

We will provide more targeted guidance for activity providers, care teams, community organisations and family carers supporting older men who may be withdrawn, isolated or experiencing low mood.

Two e-learning courses

Two short courses will be developed for the NAPA Learning Space, focusing on creative engagement with older men in care settings and in the community.

TEST, LEARN AND IMPROVE

Resources and learning materials will be tested with care homes, community services and NAPA advisory groups. Feedback from older men, activity providers, care teams and family carers will help us refine the materials before they are shared more widely.

LEARNING

Two courses to turn learning into practice.

Creative Engagement in Care Settings

A short NAPA Learning Space course exploring male disengagement, barriers to participation and how creativity can support connection, identity and wellbeing in care settings.

Creative Engagement in the Community

A short course exploring how creativity can support older men living at home, strengthen social connection and create meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute.

THE DIFFERENCE WE WANT TO MAKE

What success could look like.

Creative Connections for Men aims to make a practical difference for older men and for the people who support them.

Participation

More older men taking part in meaningful creative experiences.

Wellbeing

Improved mood, connection and mental wellbeing.

Identity and purpose

More opportunities to use skills, express identity and contribute.

Stronger relationships

More meaningful connections with families, care teams and communities.

Confidence

Greater confidence among activity providers, care teams and family carers.

Lasting practice

Wider use of inclusive, evidence-informed creative approaches across social care.

SHARED NATIONWIDE

Developed with care settings. Shared across the sector.

NAPA works directly with more than 3,000 care homes and communicates across the wider social care sector.

The resources developed through Creative Connections for Men will be made freely available to care homes, home care services, day services, community and voluntary organisations, activity providers, care and support teams and family carers.

What we learn through this project will be turned into practical guidance that can be used wherever older men live, connect and receive support.

With the generous support of The Baring Foundation, we can turn that insight into meaningful creative opportunities that strengthen connection, restore a sense of purpose and improve wellbeing.”

Hilary Woodhead, Chief Executive, NAPA

Get involved

Help us create stronger connections.

Share your experience

Tell us what you have found challenging, what works well and what helps older men engage in meaningful ways.

Help shape the resources

Contribute examples of effective practice, test project materials and give feedback as the guidance and learning develop.

Register your interest

Stay connected with the project and hear about opportunities to take part in future activities, testing and consultation.