Menu - Arts Together

Trowbridge Arts Together Group with artist Belinda Chandler

Arts Together was a pioneering, award-winning charity that aimed to improve the; health, well-being and quality of life of older people through the provision of a range of participatory arts activities.

"Arts Together is something that once you start you don’t want to stop. I’ve learnt so much and got so much pleasure and fulfillment. I’ve done so many things I never thought I could"

Words Together pilot project with storyteller Jean Edmiston

Arts Together started as a visionary pilot-project called Words Together, initiated by Kennet District Council, Wiltshire Social Services and ArtSpark in 1999. It brought together professional artists and older people for weekly arts workshops, creative projects and cultural activities in Wiltshire.

"Without Arts Together I wouldn’t meet people. I’ve done things I wouldn’t have done. I didn’t go to school like most people when I was a child and I love learning things"

Experimental painting with pigments at the Melksham Group

Arts Together quickly expanded to run weekly groups in six Wiltshire towns; Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Melksham, Devizes, Pewsey and Marlborough. In addition to the arts activities the charity provided; transport – essential in a very rural area with limited public transport, cooked lunches and personal support within and outside the groups. As Local Authorities, Social Services and other voluntary organisations contracted, and austerity ravaged local provision, Arts Together endeavoured to fill the widening gap in support and care for older people.

"Before Arts Together, I felt I was not much use. I always got left in the background. I don’t feel that here"

Devizes Arts Together Group

During the early years Arts Together was managed and run by ArtSpark but would later become a registered charity with a management team and board of trustees. Always searching for funds and latterly needing to raise over £100K per year, the financial challenge became huge but the transformative effect on the older participants and the success of the project was immense.

"Arts Together is so important to me; its such fun and it’s the only time I ever see anyone"

Marlborough Arts Together Group

Through its creative approach Arts Together played an important role in countering loneliness and isolation, and enhancing the well-being of older adults for over a quarter of a century. Sadly, due to lack of funds, Arts Together ceased to operate as a charity in 2025 but the groups continue to meet under the care of Age UK Wiltshire, Home Instead Andover & East Wiltshire and Alzheimer’s Support Wiltshire.

"Arts Together brought an artistic strength out in me which has built my self-confidence so much"

Finishing touches to a project by Trowbridge Arts Together Group

The few pictures and quotes on this website page merely suggest the impact of Arts Together all due to the brilliant work achieved by artists, volunteers, staff, trustees, supporters and the older people over so many years.

Thanks to you all.

Jeff Pigott - formally of ArtSpark & Arts Together

"This is such a wonderful project, In my work I see so many older people just sitting and staring, as if they are waiting to die. Here it’s like another world; they’re so alive, there so much laughter and they do such amazing things"

Arts Together 1999-2025