Living Words is an arts and literature organisation working in creative health for social change.

We live by our values of authenticity, social benefit, equity & inclusion. Since 2007 our artists have been applying our unique Listen Out Loud methodology to co-create individual books of words with project members on their lived experience. With their involvement and within an ethical framework, we craft these into anthologies, films and performances to enable these voices to be heard in the world to challenge associated societal stigma and promote inclusion.

We want to see a world in which all our sounds and words are given space to be heard; for speakers to be validated and take power through their vocal expression, listeners to get in sync, and our artists affirmed in their art and progression of their skills.

Following a pivot in delivery due to Covid-19 & subsequent reframing of our work, this is now applied in two distinct strands.

LIVING EXPERIENCE involves residencies in care homes, community settings, day centres and hospitals, working one-to-one with people
experiencing dementia and their carers & families. Staff workshops and sharings embed the use of people’s Living Words books & enhance wellbeing through deeper connection.

LIVING WARRIORS uses the same method to work with people experiencing ongoing mental health concerns. Projects take place in our specially build library hub, with artists working one-to-one with people and in small groups.