(Story Thread Postcard designed by Hannah Broadway)
Story Thread is a creative exploration of stories and storytelling in collaboration with library settings. Its aim is to create authentic artistic co- creation and meaningful interactions with older members of a local community, specifically those who have been isolated since the pandemic and are at risk of loneliness. The project has been designed for participants to meet new people, drink tea, eat cake and explore their creativity in a welcoming, relaxed environment.
Developed with Hazlemere Library, Buckinghamshire in January 2023,
Flibbertigibbet worked with a group of local residents over 4 weeks, exploring the texture and colours of different stages of our lives.
“Afternoon:
85 years young!
She wore a green wedding dress (but, ahem, she wasn’t green…) Racing to Wales in a blue Cortina.
Tooting the horn, sitting back in my cool sheepskin covers.
If music be the food of love, play on…. Love, love, me do.
Venus and Mars, the dances of the planets. Cupid weaves his magic.”
“Red:
The colour of red platforms with an ankle strap I bought when I was 15.
The colour of the red duffle coat I bought with my first wages. I still have it! Arsenal football club. The secret to a long life? A glass of scotch every day. “Lady in Red” by Chris De Burgh”
(Stories created in sessions at Hazlemere library)
“I raved about it….my daughter was thrilled to bits that I had had such a wonderful day”
(participant chatting about her feelings after session 1)
“(I felt) happy & important!”
“(I felt) the sessions brought lots of laughter”.
“(I felt) welcomed”.