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The project will run for 5 years and will engage up to 5,000 of the most disadvantaged older people in classes designed to meet their needs. Courses currently on offer include computers, arts and crafts, personal development and reminiscence. New courses being developed include planning for retirement, money management in older age and re-skilling for work in later life. The project is supported by The Atlantic Philanthropies.
Renowned local actress, and older learner herself, Olivia Nash (Ma from Give My Head Peace), helped to launch the WEA’s Learning Age project in the Verbal Arts Centre, Derry/Londonderry on 12th November. Olivia coached some talented local older people to perform a dramatic piece illustrating the benefits of learning. We were also delighted to have Derry City Council’s Deputy Mayor, Maurice Devenney, present.
Colin Neilands, WEA Director, explains the importance of the Learning Age Project:
"We have been involved in researching the benefits of learning in later life for some time now. Bringing together academic research and our experience of working with older people across Northern Ireland, we believe that taking part in learning can help reduce isolation, keep the body active, stimulate the mind, pass on new skills and even contribute to better health.
Current government policy concentrates almost exclusively on young people which has unfortunately meant that there are fewer and fewer opportunities for older people to take part in affordable and suitable learning. Through this project, the WEA will directly address the lack of educational opportunities available by providing a programme of learning designed with older people in mind.” |
The project’s aims are:
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To run a programme of courses tailored to the needs and interests of older people
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To contribute to a self-help learning culture where older people take control of their learning
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To measure and evaluate the positive impact that learning has in later life
- To lobby for mainstream support of later life learning.
LAP developed out of a previous pilot project known as Older People Learning. If would like more information about the project please contact Carolyn Hale (Belfast) 9032 9718 carolyn.hale@wea-ni.com or Sinead Devine (Derry/Londonderry) 7136 9947 sinead.devine@wea-ni.com
Me, Myself, I Photography Project October 2009-March 2010
Me, Myself, I is a unique photography project for the over 50’s which was launched on 1st October 2009 during Age Awareness Week.
This project is in addition to the main Learning Age Project and is funded by Derry City Council’s Grant Aid Programme and Atlantic Philanthropies. The theme of Me, Myself, I is “Self Image in Older Age” which marries well with Age Awareness Weeks’ theme of Representation.
Me, Myself, I will amongst other aspects look at positive self image and how the media represents older people and is open to those aged 50+ living in the Derry City Council area. The first part of the project was a Digital Photography/IT course. This ran for ten weeks from September to November and is now being followed by an exploration of self image in older age through a series of four special photographic themes and workshops. With the ever increasing emphasis put on looking younger and on the pursuit of perfection, this is a very timely issue.
The Photographic project is conducted by Emmett McSheffrey, formerly from Derry city but now a photographer living in Glasgow. The participant’s photographs will then form an exhibition to be presented in the Void Gallery in March 2010. There will also be art workshops with young children and youth to explore this theme and to examine the work of the older artists on view, adding an intergenerational aspect to the project.
The first series of digital photography workshops has already taken place in two locations in the city at the Women’s Centre in the Waterside and on the Cityside at the Creggan Neighbourhood Centre (Corned Beef Tin). Both series of workshops were oversubscribed. Emmett began work with the groups in October and the first photographic theme: A Self Portrait was explored in early December. The final part of the photographic project will continue throughout January and February. The launch date for the photographic exhibition is Tuesday 16th March at 1.00pm in the Void Gallery. The exhibition will run for two weeks closing on Saturday 27th March. It is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 5pm daily.
If you are interested in any part of the Me, Myself, I Project, please contact Sinead Devine (Development Officer LAP) on 028 71 369947.
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WEA Projects 
