Paul spoke to Marcus at the start of Ageing Creatively and catches up now to see how it is going now and what is new.
The Corn Exchange Newbury received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund which has enabled it to begin the next five year stage of its Ageing Creatively programme of work, supporting older people across the Berkshire area.
The first stage of the Ageing Creatively programme ran from 2016-19 and supported the needs of older adults through accessible arts and culture projects.
The Ageing Creatively programme delivers a huge array of creative workshops, classes and courses specifically tailored to the over 55s.
It saw regular workshops and classes taking place from the Corn Exchange and its Learning Centre, including sessions for those living with dementia or Parkinson’s, and also saw partnership work with care home settings.
This new funding will establish a 5 year programme of work and leave a legacy of creative engagement for older people, particularly those who are rurally or socially isolated.
Led by the Corn Exchange’s Engagement Manager Hannah Elder, a new team dedicated to this area of work has been appointed as a result of this funding.
Marcus Lilley works in establishing the needs and wants of rural areas to deliver activities tailored for each specific community.
Alongside projects based in rural areas and care settings, the Corn Exchange also hosts Ageing Creatively workshops and courses in its Learning Centre on the Market Place in Newbury.
From the autumn, there will be a range of workshops and courses for older people covering activities such as singing, writing, dance, arts and crafts, exercise, and the Touch to See group for those with visual impairments returns.
Katy Griffiths, Director of the Corn Exchange Newbury, says ‘We are very grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for their support of this programme of work with their grant of nearly £339,000 over the 5 year programme.
It is proven that taking part in arts and cultural activities on a regular, long term basis helps improve the mental well-being of older people.
Ageing Creatively increases access to creative activities for older adults, ensuring the community stays creative, engaged and active in order to continue to live healthy independent lives.
The aim is to reduce social isolation and loneliness, and to encourage learning and participating for overall good health.’
Hannah Elder, Engagement Manager, says
‘We are reminded daily of the impact that engaging with the oldest in our community has on their wellbeing.
We see the smiles in our Memory Cafe morning and the concentration on the faces of those attending Afternoon Art.
From encouraging self-worth to providing something to look forward to, the programme is varied and responsive to the people it aims to serve.
We hope to see this impact continue for our ageing community over the next 5 years, and to play a real part locally in championing arts for health and well-being among our elders.
A participant summed it up quite simply:
“Thank you for helping me to remember that I am important. I should focus on me too.”’
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