Young at Arts, the Time to Shine partner which has been bringing arts and cultural opportunities to older people all over Leeds for the past two years, is sadly drawing to a close. They have delivered some amazing projects and changed many people’s lives.
To celebrate and reflect back, they went out with one final soiree at Left Bank, called Food Glorious Food.
The event featured performances of theatre, dance and poetry.
Members from the dance company Protein performed part of their show May Contain Food, which they have been bringing into care homes via Young at Arts.
Peter Spafford and Jacqui Wicks performed some poems written or inspired during workshops they ran with Young at Arts men, and Young at Arts members performed a short piece of theatre about a magical tablecloth.
The backdrop for all of this was a shared meal at Left Bank, a beautiful space which many people were visiting for the first time. People brought food to contribute to the table, and in between performances people chatted and ate together, reinforcing the idea that food rests at the centre of many social occasions and connections.
Attendees also got a chance to collaborate in making a sticky ginger pudding together. They grated, mixed, stirred, poured, and baked right there onsite, and then got to enjoy the fruit (or in this case cake) of their labours.
One person who came said: “An unexpected GEM! Haven’t been involved with anything like this – thoroughly enjoyable. I appreciated ‘Food for Thought’ drama – reflecting on life, memory, loss & sharing over a meal. Uplifting and moving.”
Another said: “Jolly good fun, cheered me up and I also enjoyed the food and drink. I had cancelled but so glad I changed my mind and decided to attend.”
Young at Arts has been delivered by the LEAF Partnership: Leeds Grand Theatre & City Varieties, Northern Ballet, Opera North, Phoenix Dance Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse & Yorkshire Dance. It’s been an amazing two years and we thank you for all your incredible work in bringing together older people in Leeds.