Exploring the benefits of lifelong creative learning
- Written byCody O'Connor
- Published date 31 October 2025
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Have you ever wanted to build on a skill or learn more about a topic you are curious about?
We discussed the benefits of lifelong creative learning with three students who have recently taken part in short courses at UAL in disciplines including tailoring, jewellery making and design, and found out what they have learnt from returning to education.
Support for creative projects
Billie is a retired professor from Perth in Western Australia, whose research focused on city planning and health. She took part in three short courses at UAL: Introduction to Tailoring, Couture Tailoring LCF and Classic Tailoring Techniques.
Billie joined the courses to plan a personal creative project and improve her sewing skills. "One of the reasons I wanted to do this course is that I’ve got a beautiful jacket that I want to make. The techniques I’ve learnt here and the discussions I’ve had with tutors will help me go back and tackle that project."
John is a retired GP from Durham who started jewellery making as a new hobby. "I saw this weeklong stone setting course down at UAL and thought that’s absolutely perfect for me. You can learn a lot in a week." John has set up an online business selling his handmade sterling silver jewellery and also attends a jewellery school in Newcastle.
During the short course in Stone Setting in Silver Jewellery at UAL, John learnt about techniques such as how to flush set stones into a ring. "I feel well set up to go home and practice these skills I’ve newly learnt until I become really proficient at them, so I’m very grateful."
Learning with others
Students at UAL’s short courses come from all different backgrounds, bringing unique skills and ideas to each class. Classes are friendly and supportive, creating an environment that’s perfect for building on your knowledge in an educational setting.
Billie has enjoyed learning as part of an intergenerational class, "it’s very social and it's nice to be around other people who are learning as well, you don't feel like you're alone."
John shared his thoughts, "it’s very inclusive and diverse, I think everybody just mixes in here, I would say to go for it." He continues, "when you’re retired you can tend to think of university as being for young people, and that you’ll feel out of place, but that’s not been the case at all."
Developing creatively
Iris Cai is a lecturer who teaches Chinese language culture at a business school in London. She took part in the 100 Design Projects short course this summer. "I found the course online, and I saw that it’s all about the development of creativity. My goal is to add value to my work and develop my own creativity."
Iris has previously taken part in short courses at UAL, and three years ago she attended the Creative Health and Wellbeing Through Art Making Short Course. "I applied it to my work - my teaching work, my consulting work, and my coaching work - and it’s brilliant!"
Being taught by specialist tutors
On the teaching style, John said, "Helen, the instructor, has been incredibly patient with us. We’ve had step-by-step instructions, both written and verbal. She makes sure everybody progresses and gets their pieces finished, and we’ve got a lot done in a week."
Billie told us that with Anthony, her tutor for the Tailoring Short Course, "there’s the opportunity to go over things, because people are moving at different speeds. He repeats it for people depending on where you are at, so that’s been particularly good." Billie shares, "I think for someone in retirement who has loved learning, this has been ideal for me. It ticks so many boxes, it’s really good for mental health, brain health and physical health, because you’re standing a lot of the day."
During the 100 Design Projects course, Iris has "learnt a lot from my classmates and tutor, Rod. He said it’s part of the process that we learn from each other." Speaking to Iris on Friday, the final day of the one-week course, she said, "I feel like I’m different now to Monday when I first came in. I’ve built confidence in my own creativity. I work outside the creative industries, but I still feel like I can do anything."
Lifelong creative learning looks different for everyone. These three students took their passions and created goals for what they wanted to learn about. For more inspiration on embracing lifelong learning, take a look at Sydney’s story.
