On 26th March 2010, members of the Learning Age Project (West of the Bann) met to consult on the Arts Council 's new strategy  "Arts and Older People". This proved to be a very lively debate with a statement and comments from the representatives going to the Arts Council as part of their consultation on the strategy document.

(Members from Rathmore Over 50's Club at the recent consultation exercise on Arts and Older People)

In the WEA statement to the Arts Council LAP groups noted that generally they were very encouraged to see the Strategy and felt it was “important” and “worthwhile”.  They felt that the Older People’s Commissioner when appointed should also be a part of this process. They felt a dedicated fund was an significant part of the Strategy as this would prove it would not be just “lip-service, as many initiatives can be for older people”. They also welcomed a joined up approach to the strategy whereby the commonalities between the different government departments were being addressed. The statement also included some of the following points that LAP representatives would like ACNI to consider the following when putting their strategy into practice:

Application Form and Process

• Clear simple application forms and process to get funding.
• Funding clinics/sessions/workshops to help groups to fill out forms.
• Support to monitor and evaluate throughout.
• A dedicated worker who will come and visit and act as a named liaison (a face behind a name).
• Older People sitting on ACNI Funding Panel to help make decisions on proposals.

Premier Payments to include:

• Transport insurance costs.
• Childcare costs for grandparents.
• Carer’s Costs for those who act as carers.
• Incentives to participate Lunch/Refreshment Costs.

Risk Taking

• Be prepared to take risk e.g. in Hospitals, Residential / Day Care/ Sheltered homes.
• Reaching those most excluded may not have outcomes you want.
• Expectation of numbers needs to be lower than other ACNI projects.
• Poor attendance: e.g. Dementia Projects may not have full attendance.
• Sustained programmes, as progress can be slow.
• The group would hope that this is a pilot scheme from which to develop and grow.

Attendance at events as well as participating on projects

• Attendance at events as well as participation in projects e.g. this helps to inform our own practice by seeing other performances.
• A Buddy system for events: Encourage Theatre Companies to participate e.g  Big Telly already do this with younger people.
• 2 for 1 incentive so Older People do not have to attend on their own.
• Low Cost Tickets.

Special Projects for Men

• Men really need to be encouraged to participate.
• Be open to what men are interested in.

Additional Skills under Life Long Learning

• Be open to fund Practical skills: Committee Skills, Fund Raising Skills and Organisational/Administrating Project Skills.

We want to have fun

• Not all projects should have to be issue-based work - we want to have fun too.

Young Old and the Old Old

• To note that there may be variation in what the younger / older and the older / older want to do as a project.

Finally they were very encouraged to be part of such an important consultation. Arts and Crafts and Performance Skills form a large part of the activities of clubs and groups and LAP groups recognise the importance of the strategy which could enhance their provision in the future. They would be keen to continue to be a part of the ongoing consultation that the Arts Council welcomes throughout the life of this strategy.