Older adults in Athlone and the Midlands region will be afforded an opportunity to develop their creative talents through a partnership programme between Age Friendly Ireland and Creative Ireland, delivering creative initiatives to support health and wellbeing in older age.
Over this summer and autumn, older people will have the opportunity to take part in new creative initiatives that are being delivered by Age Friendly Ireland. Creative Ireland is funding the initiatives which respond to research on the value of creative engagement for older people’s health and wellbeing.
“I am delighted that the Creative Ireland Programme is supporting Age Friendly Ireland to enable older people across Ireland develop and engage with creative initiatives at a regional level. The Creative Ireland Programme is founded in the principle that creativity is good for our well-being as individuals,as communities and nationally.
“Research findings published last year by TILDA (The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing ) showed conclusively that creative activity positively impacts the lives of older adults by supporting their health and wellbeing,” Director of Creative Ireland, Tania Banotti said.
The regional initiatives were developed in consultation with Older People’s Councils, which are established citizen structures under the national Age Friendly Programme. The initiatives will be open to all older people in the community to take part allowing them sample diverse forms of creative engagement.
The six regional initiatives are being delivered by creative partners who were selected following an open call earlier this year: Music Network, Creative Lives, Music Alive, Age & Opportunity, Munster Academy of Dance and artist facilitator, Rachel Lartey.
Midlands Region – Making Music in the Midlands:Music Network Teaching Residency
Music Network will deliver a music teaching residency for people in the midlands aged 55 and over. Through this residency series, Music Network will create a quality, interactive learning experience for older people.
The series will support older learners’ musical participation and the broader community by engaging people with live music outside of the standard concert format. The focus of this initiative will be on returning to playing an instrument and sharing the joy of group music-making.
