Speaking

Committing time to meeting, debating, listening and celebrating, whether formally at events or informally in networks, is building a bank of knowledge that is changing practice. More importantly, this directly contributes to improving the lives of older people.

Dominic Campbell, Co-Founder, Creative Aging

Date:
21 July 2020

Location:
Online

Vitamin C The positive effect of creativity on wellbeing in older people

How creative activity impacts on the mental wellbeing of older people

The Creative Ireland Programme in association with Healthy Ireland and the HSE Mental Health & Wellbeing Programme organised a Creative Conversation webinar on 21 July 2020 which explored how creative activity impacts on the mental wellbeing of older people.

By examining specific case studies that engaged with older people on different creative projects as well as examples of best practice, the Vitamin C: The positive effect of creativity on wellbeing in older people panel explored differing perspectives on the value of creative activities in later life to mental health and wellbeing, and suggested practical and policy requirements that could support future developments.

It was the ambition of all involved in this important discussion that it would identify the key challenges from both health and creative perspectives as well as opportunities for future collaboration and help start a conversation on specific areas for action in the area of arts and older people.

The panel discussion, led by Irish Times journalist Jennifer O’Connell and included contributions from:

  • Dr David Robinson, Consultant Geriatrician, St James’s Hospital
  • Kate O’Flaherty, Head of Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health
  • Dr Denise Rogers, Senior Clinical Psychologist, HSE
  • Bridget Deevy, Arts Programme, Age & Opportunity
  • Dominic Campbell, Co-founder, Creative Ageing International

Find out more about the Webinar