North East charity receives international recognition as provider of creative services for older people

Equal Arts has received praise for providing a leading example of how art and creative activities can benefit older people.

The charity has more than 30 years of experience in providing creative initiatives and opportunities for older people and care staff in the Gateshead area.

Director of Equal Arts, Alice Thwaite, recently accompanied the British Council on a visite to Tokyo to show Japanese organisations how creative schemes are helping people in North East England living with dementia.

Ms Thwaite said: “It was fantastic to be able to share the work we are doing here in the region on an international level and alongside other leading arts organisations in the UK making a real difference in the field of creative ageing.

“Japan is hosting the Olympics in 2020 and they are thinking about the Cultural Olympiad being a focus for creative ageing. They have the opportunity to change the perception of ageing from being a problem to showing how exciting a time it can be, to celebrate ageing and offer new programmes and interests to their older population. Japan is set to have 40 per cent of its population estimated to be over 65-years-old by 2050.

“It was hugely inspiring for us to hear from artists and theatre companies about their work while giving Japanese organisations the opportunity to see how those interested in this area are starting to network here in the UK.”

Recent projects by Equal Arts include; ‘HenPower’ which has encouraged people to learn about the benefits of hen keeping and creative activities in care settings. In addition to a £21,000 six month project titled, ‘Meet Me @ The National Glass Centre’ which saw weekly sessions for carers and people living with dementia being held at The National Glass Centre in Sunderland.

Equal Arts helps artist to deliver creative projects to care home residents as part of a national project on dementia and imagination, to help explore the impact visual arts have on well-being.

To find out more about Equal Arts, visit: www.equalarts.org.uk