“Along the way I have made friends, laughed, learned and been inspired. Thank you.”
We were delighted to have had the opportunity to deliver a new series of masterclasses, Neighbouring Histories, in Autumn/Winter 2024 in partnership with Barts Heritage. It was generously supported by Museum Development London and the Diversity Matters Programme, and followed on from the success of our Inspiring Interiors Drawing Masterclasses and exhibition in 2023/2024, which was also funded by Museum Development London.
We invited older adults from the Islington based Stuart Low Trust, outpatients from Barts Hospital and our almshouse residents to join the masterclasses. The focus was on creating a supportive space to enhance wellbeing and encourage creativity in response to the two heritage sites.
During the first four workshops which were held at the Charterhouse, we visited and heard from our Visitor Engagement team about the Great Chamber, the Tapestry Room, the Norfolk Cloister, the Old Library, the Chapel and Chapel cloister, the Gardens and last but definitely not least Wash-House Court.
The second part of our project offered a unique opportunity to spend time in the North Wing at Barts Heritage, which is currently undergoing major conservation work. We were fortunate to have guided tours provided for our group and to learn about the history and transformation of our Charterhouse neighbour. We saw the Hall, conservation deck, Hogarth Staircase, Guild Room and Barts Hospital Square on our visits.
This was the first time two facilitators had worked together on a creative community engagement project at the Charterhouse. In addition to my role as Community Engagement Manager organising the project, I drew on my experience as founder and facilitator at Creative Writes to facilitate creative writing workshops, collaborating with Martine from PomegranART who worked with participants on photography.
Martine spent time with each participant individually, helping them to photograph what they wanted to capture and which stories they wanted to tell visually. The stunning architectural details, light and history around us were a creative gift and everybody was able to shape their own projects as they wanted.
My role was to provide creative writing prompts which responded to the different parts of each site. For example, ‘beneficiaries of our charity’ and ‘the beauty of nature’ while spending time in the Charterhouse gardens. I used quotes and poetry to inspire writing and participants read their work aloud if they wished. The group also learnt more about the buildings and life (past and present) at the Charterhouse from residents, volunteers and staff.
There was a different theme each week and the writing and photography centred around these together.
No previous experience or preparation was required to attend these workshops. They were adapted to be accessible for all who attended. The group formed a fabulous community, and we are looking forward to the touring exhibitions this year at The Charterhouse, Barts Heritage and the Stuart Low Trust. The exhibition will celebrate a selection of the group’s written work and photography.
“It was wonderful to be part of this!”
Nichola Charalambou, Community Engagement Programme Manager
(Quotes by Neighbouring Histories participants)