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Y Ty Celf are pleased to be working with Links Mental Health Charity and Swansea University, Life Science Department on a Health and Wellbeing Project called Creating Nostalgic Moments, this is possible through funding from Arts Council of Wales for 2025/26.
We held creative workshops focussing on the wellbeing benefits of reflecting on nostalgic moments to foster positive emotions.
6 Month Project Update
Y Ty Celf – The Art House has delivered a wide-range of creative workshop programmes over the project’s first six months. Workshops have engaged participants from five strands: Links Mental Health Charity, the general public, young people (MIND/Stradey), CPD/staff, and Spark Art/intergenerational young people.
Each two-hour session focused on nostalgia, promoting wellbeing, social connection, and creativity within the community. The programme involves 12 freelance artists and 5 support workers/volunteers, running 108 workshops in total during the first 6 months.
Here are some images, feedback and artist observations from some of the sessions for each strand:
Spark Art & Spark Intergenerational
“I really enjoyed this session it made me remember something I really used to enjoy.”
“ I love looking at my picture it brings back so many lovely memories”
Artist Observations
“The Nostalgia Theme has breathed new life into this group, both artists and participants are more engaged, sharing more experiences, communicating and finding out about each other more.”
Seasonal Painting, Poetry reading, fashion through the ages.
Mind Young People
Designing & Producing Local Scenes as posters.
“ I like art there is no right or wrong way – just use your imagination”
“we feel safe here. It is safe and fun”
Artist Observations
" Attendance is good and having the classes at Y Ty Celf helps to change attitudes and behaviour of the young people during the sessions. "
General Public
Seasonal themes, family holidays, stained glass, printing
" Well I thoroughly enjoyed myself today"
“Before Y Tŷ Celf I didn’t exist”
Artist Observation
"Participants reminisced about school days, friendships, and light-hearted moments, creating a positive atmosphere."
Links Mental Health Charity
Movie Nights, Memory Books
“feeling of connection to parent & family”
“happy memories of mum”
Artist observations
Grounded, contentment, pride, happiness, appreciative, gratitude, Enthusiasm, feelings of wonder, joy, links to past.
Stradey School
Autumn Collagraphs, jewellery making
" I am going to give my piece as a present as it is special."
Artist observations
" They were still able to talk about what they did when they were little and family traditions which makes celebrations and seasons like Halloween, autumn and Christmas "nostalgic". Being able to talk about these to the staff and their friends was very exciting and interesting to listen to."
Staff CPD
Paint alongs and gelli printing
" an opportunity to be with fellow colleagues and learn about each other as well as sharing of skills and techniques."
Artist Observation
"Pressure to teach colleagues and other artists. Gaining confidence and self-esteem."
End Of Project
Final Project Report
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Creating Nostalgic Moments - Creu Atgofion Hiraethus
A Year of Connection, Creativity, and Reflection. Creating Nostalgic Moments was a year-long health and wellbeing project delivered by Y Tŷ Celf – The Art House CIC, in partnership with Links Mental Health Charity & Swansea University’s Life Science Department, supported by the Arts Council of Wales. Through 189 creative workshops, the project invited people across Llanelli to explore the emotional power of nostalgia — using art, memory, and conversation to foster joy, connection, and self-understanding.
A Community of Creativity
Over 584 recorded attendances and 150–170 individual participants took part across five delivery strands: Links, Spark Art, MIND, Stradey School, and the general public. Thirteen freelance artists and five support staff (plus one volunteer) brought their skills and empathy to each session, creating safe, inclusive spaces for reflection and creative expression. The programme culminated in two public exhibitions MIND (August 2025) and Spark Art (April 2026) and a completed documentary film in January 2026. A legacy artwork commissioned for St David’s Day at Links continues the project’s spirit of remembrance and celebration.
Emotional Well-Being and Joy
Across all strands, participants described feelings of happiness, warmth, gratitude, and pride.
“I really enjoyed this session – it made me remember something I really used to enjoy.”
“I always feel happy after attending these sessions.”
“Nice to reconnect with myself.”
These moments of joy were not fleeting; they represented genuine emotional restoration
through creative engagement.
Social Connectedness
The project strengthened relationships and built trust. Travel-themed sessions at Links encouraged open communication; intergenerational workshops at Spark Art brought together young people and older adults living with dementia; and public workshops saw individuals creating new memories together.
“Feeling connected to the past. Photos are a way to remember past experiences.”
SelfEsteem and Pride
Participants expressed pride in their creative achievements — from memory books and collages to public exhibitions. Young people gained
confidence to share their work publicly, while older adults found comfort and meaning in revisiting cherished memories through art.
Identity, Meaning, and Belonging
Welsh themed workshops prompted participants to bring heirlooms and share family stories, while explorations of fashion through the decades sparked reflections on identity and change.
“We feel safe here – it is safe and fun.”
“I love looking at my picture – it brings back so many lovely memories.”
The Bittersweet Side of Nostalgia
Not all memories were easy. Some participants experienced sadness or feelings of loss, reminders that nostalgia is inherently bittersweet. These moments were met with care and sensitivity, supported by skilled facilitators and reflective practice.
“Going way back brings back bad memories, but you become more resilient as an adult and becoming independent.”
Lasting Impact
Creating Nostalgic Moments demonstrated that nostalgia, when thoughtfully integrated into community arts practice, can be a powerful therapeutic mechanism, particularly for people living with dementia and adults accessing mental health support. Through sensory prompts, creative processes, and trusted relationships, the project fostered joy, social connection, self-esteem, identity, and meaning, leaving behind not only exhibitions and artworks, but stronger communities and deeper understanding.
