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Clare Cultural Companions – An Age & Opportunity Arts Initiative

Summary

Cultural Companions is an Age & Opportunity Arts Initiative comprising a network of older people interested in arts and culture who can attend events together as a group. Its aim is to provide increased opportunities for older people to engage with Ireland’s vibrant arts and cultural scene. It provides an opportunity to meet new people, get out more and enjoy all that Irish arts and culture has to offer.

The Cultural Companions Initiative is supported by Clare County Council and the Clare Arts Office and is funded by Creative Ireland.

Through the Clare Age Friendly Strategy 2018-2022, Clare County Council is delivering on the Social Participation element through the development of the Cultural Companions Programme which will allow older people to continue to exercise their competence, enjoy respect and self-esteem, and establish supportive and caring relationships with others. Participation and engagement fosters social integration and is key to good health and wellbeing.

When it comes to Cultural Companions, the emphasis is on peer support, independence and choice. Attending regular, organised Cultural Companions events provides opportunities for members to network with other members. Members are informed of events in relation to the arts and culture scene via bi-monthly event guides and social gatherings are organised so they can meet like minded people. This programme is also designed to combat isolation and loneliness in rural areas. Membership has increased from 30 in early 2018 to over 200 in 2020.

Members can also become Cultural Companions Volunteers. Their role is to “meet and greet” members at social gatherings. They also attend bi-monthly meetings to discuss the upcoming events guides.

Website: http://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/clare-age-friendly-county/cultural-companions/

Key facts

Main target group: Older people in general

Other target group(s): Older people living in rural areas.

Sector(s): Information and communication

Desired outcome for older people:
Build and maintain relationships

Other issues the Age-friendly practice aims to address:
  • Intergenerational activities
  • Inclusion
  • Participation

Contact details

Name: Karen Fennessy

Email address: agefriendlyclare@clarecoco.ie

Age-friendly practice in detail (click to expand):

Engaging the wider community

Project lead: Other

Other project lead: The Cultural Companions Initiative is an Age & Opportunity Arts Initiative and is supported by Clare County Council and the Clare Arts Office and funded by Creative Ireland.

Others involved in the project:
  • Local authorities
  • Older People’s Association

How collaboration worked: The initiative is funded by Creative Ireland. Clare County Council consults with the Clare Arts Office in relation to the initiative and updates are provided at regular meetings with the Arts Office and the Cultural Companions Volunteers.

Older people’s involvement: Older people helped to implement the age-friendly practice

Details on older people’s involvement: Members can participate in the programme by attending regular social gatherings which are detailed in the bi-monthly events guide. Volunteers participate in the programme by attending these events and introducing members to others so that the members can network with people of similar interests.

Moving forward

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: No

Do you plan to evaluate your age-friendly practice? Yes

Feedback:
We have received very positive feedback by phone calls and emails, particularly when social gatherings have been organised and we have received suggestions on how to improve our programme through our meetings with the volunteers. Members have made friends through the programme and have been re-united with people that they had lost touch with.

Expansion plans:
We will be re-advertising the Initiative again through the parish offices and local papers.

Looking back

Challenges:
Application forms and privacy notice had to be amended to comply with recent General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and membership needed to be renewed annually. 2023 update: Forms have not been amended to a once off membership with an opt out clause which has made the process more manageable.