Magic Me

About the charity

"I am always doing things I didn’t know I could do at Magic Me." Older participant

Magic Me uses the arts to bring the generations together to build a stronger, safer community. Based in Tower Hamlets, East London, we work with over 500 people a year, diverse both in age and culture. Participants range from 9 to 100+ years old and each activity brings together unlikely partners: Bangladeshi Muslim young people learning photography with white and Jewish people in their 70s, or young adults joining care home residents for a drink after work.

Our team of experienced community artists inspire and support young and older people to get involved in creative challenges they have never tried before. These range from creative writing to photography, singing to mosaics.

We team up schools or after-school groups with over 50’s clubs and care homes for projects that usually last 12 weeks. Each project is designed to stimulate and appeal to both age groups, fostering an exchange of views and sharing of experience. Groups meet weekly so that relationships can grow and skills develop. Participants work towards a common aim: a performance, a book or an exhibition. Many young and older people surprise themselves as they reveal their hidden talents and grow in confidence.

"Everyone says old people forget things, but I think they are really, really clever."  Young participant

Magic Me enables older people to stay active in their communities. We particularly seek to break down the invisible barriers around care homes. Barriers of fear, ignorance and embarrassment which leave elders isolated and lonely and those outside ill at ease about growing older and their own mortality.

"I love the company. I get visits, but for some residents here this is the only visit they get." Older participant living in a Care Home

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