New research suggests that growing numbers of people across the West Midlands are worried that traditional creative skills, including playing musical instruments, crafting and other hands-on arts, are gradually disappearing.
A new survey commissioned by not-for-profit provider Sanctuary Care, highlights a growing fear that essential everyday skills are quietly dying out. Among West Midlands residents, the survey found:
- Only about one in ten West Midlands residents (11%) have taken up or practiced music in the past year
- Nearly a quarter (24%) nationally believe creative skills like music, writing and performing are at risk of dying out among younger generations
- Over half of West Midlands residents (51%) say they get better advice from grandparents or older relatives than from social media
Margaret Maclachlan, 81, from Briarscroft Residential Care Home in Birmingham said:
‘I’ve always loved music and grew up playing the piano — it brings me such joy. Any skill that you have as an adult that you can pass on to the next generation is valuable, so I’m delighted to be part of the Lifelong Learning Exchange. It gives me such a sense of purpose to share my love of music with others, especially to the younger generation like Sienna.’
The findings come as Sanctuary Care launches the Lifelong Learning Exchange, a new national campaign designed to bring generations together through shared learning, while supporting a sense of purpose at every stage in life. The campaign comes at a critical time for traditional expertise, as half of the population (50%) believe that practical skills such as writing letters, sewing, mending clothes or cooking from scratch are most at risk of being a lost skill.
Alongside, a survey of 124 Sanctuary Care residents 2 shows a community rich in experience that they are eager to share:
- 80% say they have skills or hobbies they would like to pass on
- 87% believe traditional skills are at risk of being lost
- 92% think communities would benefit from more intergenerational learning
“Our residents hold an incredible wealth of practical knowledge. The Lifelong Learning Exchange is about sharing this knowledge, creating meaningful connections between generations, and ensuring essential life skills don’t disappear.”
Louise Palmer, Director of Operations at Sanctuary Care said:
“As part of our developing Youth Strategy, we are continuing to explore and evolve ways of bringing younger people into our homes to take part in intergenerational experiences. This includes volunteering opportunities, and school or college led sessions with residents — creating meaningful opportunities for shared learning, connection and community.”
The Lifelong Learning Exchange is about bringing generations together — offering younger people practical skills and older people with renewed purpose, connection and recognition. Elements of the campaign include:
- One-to-one mentoring and practical advice
- Skill guides, demonstrations and personal stories
- A celebration of everyday skills with real-world value — from sewing and music lessons to letter writing and cooking
The Lifelong Learning Exchange reflects Sanctuary Care’s commitment to enabling residents to live purposeful, fulfilling lives — supporting them to continue sharing their passions, skills and life experience with the wider community.
The campaign is rooted in Sanctuary Care’s Enriching Lives Framework, the not-for-profit’s research-led approach to supporting residents’ wellbeing beyond traditional care. Built around six essential human needs: Security, Belonging, Continuity, Purpose, Achievement and Significance, the framework ensures every resident is supported not just to be cared for, but to continue contributing, learning and feeling valued.
The Lifelong Learning Exchange brings that ethos to life by creating real opportunities for residents to share their knowledge, celebrate their achievements and remain an active, valued part of their communities.
By championing lifelong purpose, the campaign aims not only to preserve practical skills, but to strengthen communities, challenge age-related stereotypes and prove that learning doesn’t stop at any age.
