KINTI

A clay-based intervention for people aged 55+ living independently.

KINTI was designed for older adults living independently who may be experiencing isolation, low mood, or a sense of disconnection — from other people, from a sense of purpose, or from themselves. It uses clay, making, and structured creative activity to explore themes of resilience, hope, and connection in a way that feels personal and grounded rather than clinical.

What KINTI is

KINTI is a clay-based creative intervention programme for people aged 55 and over. It was developed in response to a clear and well-evidenced need: the particular kind of loneliness and loss of direction that can come with later life, especially for those living alone.

The programme isn't an art class. It's a structured set of creative sessions designed to do something specific: open up reflection, invite connection, and give people a tangible, meaningful way to explore how they feel and what matters to them.

Making with clay is at the heart of it. The physical nature of the work — touching, shaping, building something with your hands — creates a kind of focus and presence that can be hard to find elsewhere. For people who find it difficult to talk about how they're feeling, clay offers another way in.

What happens in a KINTI session

Sessions are structured around a set of themes: resilience, optimism, social connection, adaptability, perseverance, and purpose. These aren't topics that participants are asked to discuss directly. They're woven into the making activities — shaping how projects are introduced, what people are invited to create, and what reflection looks like at the end.

KINTI activities have included:
- Working with personal stones — objects that carry meaning, memory, or significance
- Free creative sessions with open-ended clay work
- Making gift stones to give to someone else
- Collaborative making — working alongside others on a shared piece
- Reflection and evaluation — looking back at what the work brought up and what changed

Each session builds on the last. The intervention has a shape: it moves from individual making toward connection and shared experience, and from personal reflection toward a sense of something made and completed.

Why it's designed this way

KINTI is grounded in research into what older adults living independently actually need. The themes the programme works with — resilience, hope, connection — weren't chosen at random. They come from evidence about the psychological factors that most strongly support wellbeing in later life.

The intervention was designed by Charmaine Joy Clements (BA Hons Ceramics, MA Arts Practice with Merit), whose practice sits at the intersection of creative work and social need.

Who KINTI is for

KINTI is designed for people aged 55 and over who are living independently. It is well suited to:
- People experiencing social isolation or loneliness
- Older adults who may be grieving, adjusting to retirement, or going through significant life changes
- People who wouldn't describe themselves as artists and might not usually engage with creative activities
- Organisations supporting older adults who want to offer something structured, evidence-based, and genuinely person-centred

KINTI can be delivered as a standalone programme or adapted to fit your setting and the people you work with. Every delivery includes evaluation. To find out more, get in touch via the Get Involved page.