We’re really proud to bring you a brand new Fanzine for 2026. In this edition we interview Sophie Merriman, Producer of Meet Me at the Albany.
Her interview is a warm and inspiring reflection on ageing, creativity, and what it really means to feel included in the arts. Speaking about her work with the Meet Me programme, she gently challenges the assumptions that often shape how older people are perceived in cultural spaces.
Meet Me at the Albany is an arts and social club for people over sixty-five, developed and delivered through a partnership between The Albany and Entelechy Arts.
She talks about the importance of moving beyond patronising attitudes. She describes how quickly she became aware of unconscious bias in her own practice and how listening to participants reshaped her thinking. Sophie explains the member’s views, “We are people, you know. We’ve got something to say, and we are just the same as everybody else.” It’s a simple but powerful reminder.
The interview also celebrates curiosity and openness. Rather than resisting new experiences, Meet Me participants regularly showed enthusiasm for trying different activities, collaborating with others, and stepping into unfamiliar environments. From group singing to recording in a professional studio for the first time, these moments highlight the joy that comes from creative exploration at any age.
Sophie also reflects on the phrase “radical creative ageing,” questioning whether it should even feel radical at all. “Shouldn’t the radical just be the norm?” she asks, suggesting that creativity, visibility, and cultural engagement should be everyday opportunities, not exceptions.
The conversation paints a hopeful picture of what happens when older adults are welcomed into open, social, and creative spaces. Through shared activity and genuine connection, the Meet Me programme quietly challenges ageism, showing that creativity thrives when people feel seen, valued, and part of a wider cultural life.
See the Fanzine here
Creative Ageing: Development & Agency 