What's on
From family support, fitness classes and learning to art exhibitions, festivals and talks, our activities are wide and far reaching.
Maureen has been part of our over-50s art group for eight years. It has become a space for her to practise her passion, socialise and continue to improve her wellbeing, providing her a sense of purpose which keeps her coming back.
Maureen’s passion for art started in school at 13 years old, however, the focus here was on academics, so she didn’t have the chance to explore it. As a young adult, she was moved by an exhibition of the Impressionists at the Royal Academy in the 1970s: “There were massive queues. I just thought, this is amazing. I didn’t know anything about it, but I knew I wanted to be part of it.”
Retirement gave Maureen more time to explore her passions, and she joined the Coin Street over 50s art group after seeing it advertised on our website: “It’s one of the best things I’ve got in my life. It’s really helped me in the other things I do.” The group meets every other Friday: “It’s not just about art, it’s the people, the friendships, the laughter. We look after each other.”
One of the standout features for Maureen is the variety of experiences the group offers: “Nishi (art group leader) and her team give us everything: paints, watercolours, oils, life drawing, photography. There’s always something new.” The group has access to exhibitions and workshops through partnerships with London galleries, often for free or reduced rates. “We’re really lucky. The way you can take artistic bits away and work on them is really special. It's like magic.”
After each visit, the group discusses the exhibitions: “Everyone’s buzzing. We know how lucky we are. These things wouldn’t be affordable for many over 50s.”
Maureen highlights how inclusive the group is: “You work at your own pace and there’s no pressure. It’s just so relaxing, your brain gets kicked into gear, and the tutors give us real one-to-one support. We are nurtured there, and it feels like we’re looked after. We get treated like we matter.”
The intergenerational aspect is another highlight. “We do art with teenagers from the area, and it’s lovely seeing older and younger people interact. They even wrote comments on our pieces. One young person loved a piece I did on Ukraine; they used it on a poster for a fundraiser. It felt like a full circle, especially as they were from the school I went to.”
Maureen also praises the warm reception of Coin Street staff, who are keen to display and provide comments on the group’s art. Maureen encourages anyone interested to sign up: “You will be so welcomed when you arrive, you get to work at your own pace, no pressure on you, and it’s relaxing as well. The teachers always go around to individuals offering help and ideas.”
For Maureen, the group has brought art full circle in her life, from childhood inspiration to creative fulfilment in later life.