Jessica O'ConnorBritain’s over-60s are redefining later life, with new research showing the majority still harbour big ambitions – from writing bestselling books to mastering artificiail intelligence (AI), hosting podcasts and even appearing on TV.
A survey of almost 2,000 people aged over 60, commissioned by art education provider art-K, found that 60% said they still want to achieve something extraordinary, while an overwhelming 94% believe it is “never too late to follow your passions.”
Rather than slowing down, many say they are becoming more creative with age.
Nearly two thirds (63%) said they feel more creative now than they did in their 30s, and 88% said they are embracing new experiences and hobbies more than ever.
Almost seven in 10 (69%) reported they are more likely to achieve their creative ambitions now than earlier in life.
Creative hobbies are already part of everyday life for most.
More than two thirds (69%) said they have an existing creative pursuit, with gardening (34%), crafts such as knitting and woodwork (31%), cooking and baking (27%) and photography (19%) among the most popular.
One in eight (13%) regularly paint or draw.
Looking ahead, over-60s’ creative wish lists are wide-ranging. A third want to learn a foreign language, while others aim to learn the piano (21%), develop coding or AI skills (22%), or take on hands-on pursuits such as pottery (11%) and jewellery-making (9%).
More ambitious goals include writing a bestseller (25%), being on television (9%), painting a masterpiece (6%) or hosting a podcast (5%).
Writing in art-K’s Creative Renaissance report, founder Kathryn Harper said: “The findings highlight a powerful shift in how older Britons view creativity and ageing. This generation doesn’t see later life as a slow winding down.
“The tired assumptions about what people over 60 want from life aren’t just outdated, they’re being actively rejected by the very people they claim to describe. There’s absolutely no expiry date on creativity. We see people in their sixties, seventies and beyond discovering new talents and confidence through art.
“The vast majority agree that creative hobbies help combat loneliness and that creative activities are vital for wellbeing in later life. These are not small effects. They are telling us something important about what human beings need to thrive, especially as they age. And at art-K we aim to provide the environment where adults find there is a creative distraction at the same time as socialising as much or as little as they are comfortable with.”
