*Images: Above and below by Laura Dicken*

In 2024, Creative Black Country solidified a meaningful partnership with whg (Walsall Housing Group) to launch a new artist-in-residence initiative. Hosted across their recently opened over-55s wellbeing schemes, Lockside Pointe in Walsall and Nightingale House in Wolverhampton, the project set out to explore how art and creativity could build connection, combat loneliness, and offer people the chance to shape their own creative journey in a brand-new environment.

Moving into independent living can be daunting, especially when leaving behind established friendships and familiar routines. This residency aimed to change that. Through creativity, conversation and community-led sessions, the programme offered a gentle way to meet others, develop new skills and reawaken old ones.

Following an open call and interview process with whg staff and community partners, artist duo Juneau Projects (Ben Sadler and Phil Duckworth) were selected for the role. Known for their participatory practice and focus on co-creation, they were the perfect match for a project where residents would lead the way in deciding the kind of art they wanted to explore.

“whg were delighted to welcome artists to our two new wellbeing schemes Lockside and Nightingale House – independent living for the over 55s,” said Connie Jennings, Director of Stronger Communities at whg.

“Moving into a new home, often by yourself, can be daunting and the artist in residence scheme enabled us to use arts as the tool to begin to create a sense of belonging within a new community. The artists encouraged and supported customers to find their inner artist, providing a therapeutic environment to just have a go – with results that surprised everyone.

The sessions brought people together, reduced loneliness and isolation, creating a community of kindness where people look out for each other and develop those important social connections. We now have a community of artists enabling us to create stronger communities.”

From October 2024 to April 2025, Juneau Projects led creative sessions every week at both sites. Residents worked with a wide range of materials, from drawing and collage to ceramics, but more importantly, they were supported to follow their own ideas and instincts.

“Working with the WHG residents has been a great experience,” said Phil Duckworth. “They have a great enthusiasm for art and creativity… it was great to see the variety of work they produced.”

Phil recalled one participant, Alison, who sculpted three ceramic frogs for her garden:

“She said, ‘They make me smile so much!’ She had chosen a speckled green glaze which complimented the fun frog figures she had made. It was great seeing the process come together to make something she was really proud of.”

The residency wasn’t about creating a final exhibition or product — it was about process, confidence-building, and making space for residents to explore what creativity meant to them. For many, it was the first time they had picked up a paintbrush in decades.

“Our creative process is all about adaptability,” explained Ben. “The heart of this project was really about responding to the community’s interests… we aim to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their ideas.”

Alongside regular sessions, residents were invited on a trip to the National Gallery; a rare and enriching experience that added depth to the programme.

“A really uplifting moment for me happened on the way back from the Gallery visit,” said Ben.

“One of the customers told me how much they had enjoyed the day. ‘We’ve been treated like Royalty!’ They went on to say how the sessions had helped them settle into their new accommodation, make friends and even start painting at home again — something they hadn’t done since they were fifteen. It had been over sixty years.”

The experience not only impacted the residents — it also shaped the artists themselves.

“The residency has had a big impact on our creative practice,” reflected Ben. “It’s been a real chance to reflect on how and why we work with people… and to see first-hand the way creativity can benefit people’s wellbeing, not just the customers, but ours too.”

Throughout the residency, participants led the way, steering the direction of sessions, introducing personal ideas, and sharing their own stories. As Phil noted, “Their ideas can lead us down unexpected paths… this flexibility allows for a richer creative experience.”

By the end of the project, new friendships had formed, creative confidence had grown, and participants had begun creating and gifting artwork to family and neighbours, a powerful reminder of how creativity can reconnect us to ourselves and each other.

“Our hope,” said Phil, “is that participants leave with a renewed sense of creativity in their everyday lives. Whether they start their own groups or continue to experiment on their own, we want to ignite that spark.”

As Juneau Projects now return to their studio practice, the legacy of their time with Lockside and Nightingale House lives on — not only in the artwork created, but in the warm, supportive communities they helped shape.