New Life: a Most Significant Change Story
Suffolk Artlink is a participatory community arts charity. We work with people in groups in their own communities. We support people to be creative, make friends and social connections and live well. Creating Space is our programme for family carers experiencing a time of change.
For one of our participants, daily life was largely defined by caring responsibilities. Supporting both her husband and her mother meant that much of her time — and emotional energy — was focused on others.
“Most of my time is spent always with my caring responsibilities in the back of my mind… I try to do something nice for me a couple of times a week so I’m not always going from one caring role to another.”
Creating Space offered something fundamentally different: time dedicated to her as an individual, rather than as a carer.
Through the sessions, she explored creative activities she would never have attempted alone. While she had previously engaged in familiar creative hobbies such as drawing or colouring, Creating Space introduced her to new artistic practices including printing, collage and word play.
“It’s been very positive doing things I haven’t done before… I certainly wouldn’t have gone into printing or learning new skills if I’d just been left to do it myself.”
Learning new skills became the most significant change for her. The programme provided gentle encouragement within a supportive environment where experimentation felt safe rather than intimidating.
“Being challenged, but in a really safe and lovely and comfortable environment… it didn’t feel scary to be challenged. It was more of an offer.”
The social aspect was equally important. Working creatively alongside others — particularly people who understood the realities of caring — strengthened her sense of connection and belonging.
“I like doing those things with other people… we all kind of get each other.”
Through shared creativity, the sessions helped reduce isolation and fostered meaningful social connections, contributing to improved wellbeing and emotional resilience.
Experiencing new creative processes changed how she saw herself. Trying unfamiliar activities encouraged her to move beyond established routines and rediscover confidence in learning and experimentation.
“Doing something new and different made me think differently and feel differently.”
The impact extended far beyond the sessions themselves. Inspired by Creating Space, she began actively prioritising her own development and wellbeing.
“I’m definitely trying to prioritise doing things that I haven’t done before… I would have been looking for safe things, rather than something out of my comfort zone.”
Creating Space enabled her to reclaim personal identity outside of her caring role, building confidence, curiosity and resilience that continue to shape her life.
“It’s been life changing… absolutely wonderful.”
For this participant, the most significant change was rediscovering herself beyond caring responsibilities — gaining confidence to try new experiences, forming supportive social connections, and sustaining her wellbeing through creativity.
Creating Space provided not only creative learning opportunities but also the time, permission and community needed for carers to nurture their own identities, supporting long-term resilience and wellbeing.
https://www.facebook.com/SuffolkArtlinkpage
https://www.instagram.com/Suffolk_Artlink/
