New funding for arts for older people in NW

The programme aims to tackle loneliness as well as promote positive mental health and well-being among older people through the arts.

Waterside Theatre will use their funding towards a 12-week project with Longfield Care Home residents and care staff. The project will see residents and staff create pieces of visual artwork representing their experiences throughout 2020.

A professional writer will work with the residents and staff to listen to their stories.

Waterside Theatre will also continue their work with Dementia NI online. They have been working with 20 people living with Dementia using creative writing and the arts to explore participants’ feelings during lockdown.

The new funding will enable participants to create individual memory blankets and Waterside Theatre will showcase the works at a special event later in 2021.

Echo Echo will use their funding for a film project entitled Body Wisdom, partnering with Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre and the Old Library Trust to identify ten project participants all aged 50+ years. The resulting work will be shared to an invited audience through Echo Echo networks.

Lorraine Calderwood, Community Development Officer at the Arts Council said: “Research has proven that taking part in arts activities can raise self-esteem, confidence and motivation.”

“The arts have a vital role to play in helping older people find their voice and express the issues which can often affect them on a day-to-day basis, thus promoting positive physical and mental health.”

To view the full list of organisations offered Arts & Older People’s Programme funding visit http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/images/uploads/ACNI-AAOP-Awards-2020-21.pdf