Launched in September 2024, creativeStories is a project funded by the Originators Fund, part of Bristol City Council's Cultural Investment Programme.

In line with creativeShift's ethos to support local freelancers a team of experienced artists were commissioned to lead and deliver the project.

Amy Lloyd-Jones of Tallulah Swirls Puppets, an arts facilitator, storyteller, maker and performer collaborated with filmmaker Tot Foster and worked closely with creativeShift facilitators to support participants from our art-on-referral groups at St Paul’s Children Centre, Knowle West Healthy Living Centre and Hartcliffe and Withywood @ Symes to design and create their own individual stories.

During creativeStories workshop sessions the participants were encouraged to express their

experiences of creativity through audio and recorded interviews and film footage of their own

shadow puppet creations. Amy visited each group and demonstrated how she weaves puppets,

props and scenery into her work, using an Over Head Projector, a screen and very simple

materials - cardboard, acetate, split pins, wire and sticks. After experimenting with these processes

the participants, with support from Amy and the creativeShift facilitators, had the opportunity for

their scenery and live animated puppets to be co-directed, recorded and edited by Tot.

Alongside a vibrant short film celebrating the whole project, each individual’s short film is viewable

on this page. This collection of films aims to demonstrate and promote the overall wellbeing and

health benefits of creative interventions that are safely managed and held by experienced art on

referral facilitators.

In May 2025, at The Watershed, in Bristol, everyone involved in this project will be invited

along to a showcase event of all of the films in this project. This showcase aims to be an

empowering illustration and collective celebration of the energy of the people that took part in the

project while encouraging participants to venture to new cultural venues and take pride in their

work being on public display.