Creative Cwtch: Money, Memory and the Cost of Getting Older

A free creative programme running in Llanelli and Swansea, exploring what the cost of living means in later life. Come along to make something, share a cuppa, and be part of a warm, welcoming space. No previous creative experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to join in. Refreshments provided. Carers and companions welcome.

Each site runs three sessions across three weeks:

Session 1 — 'Soundtrack of your life', a creative workshop for older adults

Session 2 — 'Memories of Autumn', a creative workshop for people living with memory difficulties or cognitive impairment, and their carers or companions

Session 3 — 'Community Showcase', a longer culminating session bringing everyone together to share the work made, enjoy refreshments and take part in a relaxed conversation, with a small exhibition of participants' work

Rising bills, fixed incomes, and the everyday weight of managing money can hit hardest in later life, and even more so for people navigating memory difficulties. Yet these experiences are often missing from the public conversation about the cost of living.

Creative Cwtch: Money, Memory and the Cost of Getting Older is about creating space for those experiences to be heard, not through forms or financial advice, but through making things together. Working alongside experienced community artists, participants will use creative activity as a way into gentle, honest conversations about money, change, and later life. The aim is simple: a warm, sociable space where people feel valued, connected, and part of something.

The programme builds directly on our earlier work at Y Ty Celf in Llanelli, which found that people living with cognitive impairment and their carers benefited most from arts-based creative sessions. This new programme extends that offer to reach more people in similar circumstances, including those living with early-onset dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment who often struggle to find support locally.

Dr Gary Christopher from Swansea University, whose research focuses on the psychology of ageing and cognitive impairment.

Older adults (65+) living in and around Swansea, Llanelli and the wider region

People living with varying degrees of cognitive impairment — including early-onset dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and memory difficulties

Family members, carers and companions of participants

Anyone concerned about the impact of rising costs on later life

People living with early-onset dementia or younger-onset cognitive impairment, who are often underserved by local provision

Carers, family members and friends looking for a welcoming shared space

People who enjoy — or would like to try — creative activity in a friendly, low-pressure setting

Community groups, memory cafés, Age Cymru members, social prescribers and local wellbeing networks

Anyone who values sociable, arts-based activity over the autumn months

Session 1: Monday 19th October, 2-4pm, Y Ty Celf – The Art House, Llanelli, SA15 1UH

Session 2: Saturday 24th October, 2-4pm - Canolfan Pentre Awel, Llanelli, SA15 2EZ

Session 3: Sat 7th November, 2-4pm - Y Ty Celf – The Art House, Llanelli, SA15 1UH