Easy Read

Explore other areas of The January Challenge

Easy Read is a type of accessible information format used mainly by people with learning disabilities. It can also benefit others who prefer simple, straightforward communication. Whether you work with people who would benefit from Easy Read or would prefer to use it yourself to take part, we hope these resources support you to activate your creativity in whatever way works for you!

What is The January Challenge?

How do I take part in The January Challenge?

Click here to download a free pack

Be inspired to...

Do

As humans, if we think about getting creative too much, we’ll never even start. So, we encourage just opening a creative prompt and having a go. See what happens (...and if nothing happens, that's okay too!). You don't need any tools, you can do a creative prompt in your mind and on-the-go.

Think

Reflecting on our creativity can help us discover our unique thoughts and feelings, leading to a deeper connection with ourselves. We also invite you to explore what creativity means to others across the UK so that we can all inspire one another and learn just how varied creativity is for everyone.

From your favourite song, a box of popcorn, doodles, poems and little stories. We invite everyone to come together online and in-person to share the path they took with creativity that day, whether it’s something you created or simply how thinking about the prompt made you feel.

Questions and answers

What's The January Challenge?

The January Challenge is an annual campaign to connect all parts of the UK through 31 days of creativity. Each year different ambassadors provide a daily creative prompt for you to ‘Do, Think and Share’, and each one only takes about 5-10 minutes to do.

Why should I participate?

Together, we've proved that creativity is closely linked to our levels of wellbeing and connection to ourselves and others. You can read our most recent Impact Report here.

What do I have to do to participate?

You can join in however you like - there is no right or wrong way. Sign up to receive a daily email, and share your responses online, with a friend or a group at work or in your community. Sometimes people simply like to read the prompts and daydream, or look at what other people get up to on our Facebook or Instagram pages. You don’t have to try all 31! The January Challenge is yours - have a go, and let it inspire you.

How much does it cost?

The January Challenge is completely free for everyone (and, you don’t have to have any special equipment or tools). You will be able to take part in every creative prompt with the things around you.

Do I do the creative prompt on my own or with others?

Creative prompts can be done alone, with friends and family or as part of a teaching plan, library event, team engagement at work or in any community setting. You can build a little community wherever you like to share what you create with others or join ours online by joining our Facebook group or posting on social using the hashtag #TheJanuaryChallenge.

What's a Creativity Champion?

A Creativity Champion is someone who wants to bring The January Challenge to life in their workplace or community! Anyone can be a Creativity Champion, including you. Head to our Creativity Champions page to access free resources, training and tips on how to facilitate the campaign where you are, and get creative with the people around you.

This year, you’ll also find special resources to support Champions in schools, care homes, libraries, and workplaces. Plus - there are Easy Read guides and resources for Welsh Language speakers.

What if I change my mind and no longer want to participate?

You're free to dip in and out of The January Challenge as you please. It's there for you. You might do all the creative prompts, you might do one, you might do none, it's totally up to you. You can be a part of it purely by searching the hashtag and seeing what others are creating (though we promise you'll have more fun if you have a go yourself!)

Accessibility

Accessibility is very important to us. All 64 Million people across the UK should be able to take part in The January Challenge!

All of the creative prompts should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete, and don’t rely on any resources you're not likely to have around you. There are multiple ways to take part in each prompt inclusive of people with disabilities, sensory impairments and neurodiversity. Our events are designed to be as accessible as possible (and we will always ask you if you have any specific requests.) If you have any questions or ideas about how we can strengthen the accessibility of The January Challenge, please be in touch by emailing [email protected]

Got another question not answered here? Send it over to [email protected] and they'll be happy to answer you (no question is too big, small or silly!)

Stories of change

You don't have to put loads of angst and energy into it or set aside loads of time. You can just take 10 minutes, along with a cup of coffee. It's not about producing a masterpiece or having a work of art to hang on your wall at the end of it, but more a joyful feeling of having taken part in something uplifting that you might not have considered doing otherwise and to have shared it with other like-minded people.

- Caroline Ridley-Duff

It's been brilliant! Every morning, the first thing I have been doing this month is to check my email to see what today's challenge is. The month has flown by, and it has really helped me get that daily art habit....a couple of friends have seen me doing it on Facebook and joined in too!

- Cory Mortis-Wait

I always feel quite low when post-Christmas gloom sets in, and the creative prompts are the one thing that keeps me going.

My favourite thing about it is that it taps into the 'fun' element of creativity. It encourages us to approach it with a childlike spirit, gives us permission to be a bit playful, a bit silly, a bit quirky, and not to take it all too seriously. I am a great fan of what I call 'low-key creativity', which perfectly sums up the January Challenge.

Thanks so much to everyone who makes this happen. It's a great community to be part of.

- Joy McLean

It's a great space, a really supportive, encouraging and inclusive space. Everybody that's involved is just great. I love it.

- Pearl Barcoe

Having been sceptical, the experience has reminded me of the pleasure & absorption I can find in writing, imagery & ideas that spark between both.

- Tony Graham

January seemed never ending so I looked forward each morning to seeing what the latest challenge was. Some were, in fact, more challenging than others but I was determined to complete them daily. I've been very impressed by the contributions of other participants who have given me inspiration for future projects I may undertake once February arrives.

- Pat Gannon-Leary

My husband, also a writer, joined you recently and has received excellent prompts, which he's shared with our small writing group, with great results.

My mental health has suffered (I'm prone to depression and anxiety), and returning to artistic creativity is a must for me. I'm really looking forward to your emails. My husband tells me about the prompts, and I had to pursue them, so I've just joined. Thank you so much for doing all this!

- Jo Clutton

It's a brilliant way to share creative prompts with friends and family.

- Alberto Ponce

January can be a long month to get through, but not this year because every morning, I woke up with excitement and anticipation, looking forward to each day's task. I can truly say that this month has flown by in a buzz of creative inventiveness.

I have learned about many new groups and charities across the country that are working hard to support a wide variety of people. The challenges have been thoughtful, rich and varied, each one accessible and fun to do. How 64 Million Artists brought this together is amazing.

- Maggie Kendrick

The January Challenge is a beacon of hope and creativity in dark wintery days after the festive period. It gives me positive and unexpected structure to start the new year as I mean to go on!

- Katherine

I have always said the joy of creating and spending time playing is more important than the end result, and this challenge shows that. The January challenge has changed my attitude to increasing joy in my life.

- Katherine