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| Id | 687 | |
| Author | OShea E., Léime A.N. | |
| Title | The impact of the Bealtaine arts programme on the quality of life, wellbeing and social interaction of older people in Ireland | |
| Reference | OShea E., Léime A.N.; The impact of the Bealtaine arts programme on the quality of life, wellbeing and social interaction of older people in Ireland ;Ageing and Society vol:32.0 issue: 5.0 page:851.0 |
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| Link to article | https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84861896783&doi=10.1017%2fS0144686X11000717&partnerID=40&md5=96a5e8885c14d752846a0b3a8027acf1 |
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| Abstract | There is increasing evidence in the international literature that engagement in the arts can enhance the physical and psychological wellbeing of older people. Such engagement can increase the self-confidence and morale of older people and provide opportunities for increased social connections, leading to higher levels of social cohesion. This article is based on an evaluation of a national arts festival in Ireland called Bealtaine that celebrates creativity in older people each year during the month of May. The festival is unique in the wide range of arts-related activities it includes and the different types of organisations involved, such as local authorities, libraries, educational institutions, health and social care organisations, and voluntary bodies for older people. It includes both long-standing professionally facilitated arts programmes and one-off events at local and national levels. The evaluation used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse two major postal surveys with organisers and consumers of the festival and face-to-face interviews with older participants, artists and organisers. The findings are overwhelmingly positive in terms of the personal and social gains arising from participation in the festival. In this context, the study provides support for the provision of enhanced and sustained funding for creative programmes for older people and, more generally, for the development of an integrated policy for older people and the arts in the country. ©2011 Cambridge University Press. |
The impact of the Bealtaine arts programme on the quality of life, wellbeing and social interaction of older people in Ireland. The vast majority of older people have grown up without any formal exposure to creative expression or opportunities thereby making it more difficult to foster engagement and interest in the arts in later life. This is important since a recent report has found that people with lower income and lower educational attainment are much less likely to be involved in the arts in Ireland than other socio-economic groups. The findings both from organisers and older people themselves are overwhelmingly positive in terms of the personal and social gains accruing to older people who participate in Bealtaine. Bealtaine also had an impact beyond the personal as would be expected from the evidence presented earlier in regard to the positive effect of arts festivals on social cohesion through the building of social connections and social capital at local and national level.
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