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Suffolk Artlink HQ
Suffolk Artlink was established in the early 1980’s as a member of the National Shape Network, working across Suffolk to focus on disability arts. We became a registered charity in 2005, enjoying our first year as an arts and social inclusion charity in 2006.
The Butlins Prince (2018) by Jessica GallowaySuffolk Artlink
Suffolk Artlink is a participatory arts charity. We develop and deliver inclusive arts programmes that support peoples’ health and wellbeing.
Our creative projects help people transform their lives through the arts by bringing skills, support networks, confidence and joy.
Around the Table 3 (2019) by Suffolk ArtlinkSuffolk Artlink
We work in places including hospitals, hospices, residential homes, schools and community venues.
Artist running Lowestoft Folk Session (2018) by Suffolk ArtlinkSuffolk Artlink
Our work is led by experienced arts practitioners, encompassing a rich variety of art forms, and is delivered in close partnership with care, education, voluntary and community organisations.
Developing skills and confidence in young people
Much of our work aims to help to support young people through engaging them in creativity. This can help them learn new skills, gain confidence and express themselves in new ways.
Some of our projects aimed at young people include Clown Round, Rock On and Bridge.
Clown Round 4 (2020) by Suffolk ArtlinkSuffolk Artlink
Clown Round
Our Clown Doctors bring fun, laughter and distraction to children, young people and their families in hospitals and hospices across Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex.
Rock On 3 (2019) by Young personSuffolk Artlink
Rock On
During Rock On, we offered young people in challenging circumstances a range of ways to develop their musical talents and interests in a social setting.
Bridge 5 by Primary school childrenSuffolk Artlink
Bridge
Focusing on character design, our artists worked with primary schools in Suffolk, leaving a legacy of developed creative skills, new ways of thinking about the creative process and alternative ways of exhibiting work around the school.
Supporting adults with learning disabilities
We take great pride in our programme supporting adults with learning disabilities. We have been offering regular creative sessions to students across Suffolk for over a decade.
Our projects have included JumpstART, Brave Art and Step Up.
Carnival Arts Procession by Particpants from Bury St Edmunds jumpstARTSuffolk Artlink
JumpstART
Our arts training course for people with learning disabilities offered students the chance to enjoy an in-depth exploration of an art form whilst developing creative and life skills.
Shane at Human Body Exhibition (2018) by Suffolk ArtlinkSuffolk Artlink
Brave Art
Our arts training course for adults with learning disabilities offers students the chance to explore a variety of art forms whilst developing creative and life skills.
Step Up Exhibition at the Asylum Gallery (2018) by VariousSuffolk Artlink
Step Up
Step Up was a professional development programme for visual artists in Suffolk including those with learning disabilities. Artists worked together in pairs, as equals, to explore creativity and produce new works of art inspired by each others practice.
Creating connections with older people
We support older people across Suffolk in a variety of ways, including working creatively with those living with dementia, and addressing issues experienced by our older generations, such as rural isolation, through engaging them in art.
Wingfield Barns creative celebration 1 (2020) by Event attendeesSuffolk Artlink
Make, Do & Friends
We are bringing creative get-togethers to rural villages and towns in Mid-Suffolk and Babergh, providing an opportunity for older residents to meet, share and learn new skills.
Student drawing (2018) by Suffolk ArtlinkSuffolk Artlink
Lowestoft Folk
Our two-year long intergenerational arts project brought local children and older people together to creatively celebrate the town's folk heritage.
Forget-Me-Not 5 (2019) by Forget-Me-Not teamSuffolk Artlink
Forget-me-not Visitors
During regular visits to Ipswich and West Suffolk Hospitals, our artists use a gentle approach and a variety of creative skills to improve the wellbeing of older people with dementia.
Providing creative inspiration for family carers
Across Suffolk, there is a need to support adults caring for a family member.
We offer opportunities for carers to meet like-minded people, enjoy respite from their caring role, and feel inspired by creative activities. Previous projects include Around the Table and Avenues.
Around the Table 5 (2019) by Suffolk ArtlinkSuffolk Artlink
Around the Table
We offer adult carers the opportunity to explore food, creativity and culture. Together, they develop their support networks, build in confidence and experience a new sense of passion and achievement.
Avenues Film (2017) by Suffolk ArtlinkSuffolk Artlink
Abstract (2015) by Paul BoastSuffolk Artlink
Evaluating and Learning
Evaluating our projects and their impact is integrated within our work. We use this learning to influence and support our future work and that of the wider health and wellbeing sector.
Here, we share an example of the impact evaluation of our Forget-Me-Not Visitors programme.
Forget-me-not Visitors Impact Film (2020) by Other Brother StudiosSuffolk Artlink
To find out more about our work, we welcome you to visit our website.
