Co-Creating a Story of Creative Ageing

One of the key outcomes from the Creative Ageing Network (CAN) which is featured in the Network section, was a complete shift of focus from traditional ‘training’ to a focus on storytelling as a tool for learning. The launch of the CAN, coincided with the Creative Team at AUKO taking part in Storytelling Methodology Training at The Old Fire Station in Oxford, and it has shaped the development of the project profoundly.

More details about the methodology can be found here, but for the purposes of this overview, it is important to know this context:

  • The methodology was developed by The Old Fire Station in response to the
    need for more meaningful measurements of complex projects and impact.
  • The AUKO Creative Team adapted the methodology to explore the impact of
    creativity on the lives of older people more generally (not a singular project).
  • The approach was supported by Old Fire Station and the questions we asked
    were co-created with the CAN, and other partners.
  • We were not seeking to evaluate the impact of creativity in terms of specific
    measures (e.g. wellbeing) but instead to learn the complexity of impact.
  • We collected 9 stories, asking each participant the same questions. ‘Story
    collectors’ used the same script, but they were not academic researchers.
  • The ‘story tellers’ were not curated to be representative, they include a mix of
    genders, ages (over 50), and those with protected characteristics.
  • We have consciously chosen not to disclose details about the ‘story tellers’
    beyond what they have chosen to share in their stories.
  • Each of the stories was collected, edited, and shared back with the ‘story
    tellers’ to ensure they gave full consent.
  • We worked with the Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance to reflect on the
    stories, which is detailed in the Perspective section.
  • The stories have inspired three fairy tales (coming soon) and a storyboard of ideas that help
    to inspire you to think differently about creative ageing- we encourage you to
    explore these resources and use them in your work in the future.

Storytelling questions Jan 2023Download

For more resources on this theme, check out our library. Check out the legacy section for more information about how this strand of work of work is developing beyond 2024/5.