The West Belfast Reminiscence Project was officially launched on 7 February.  The project, which is co-ordinated by the WEA, focuses on the theme of “It’s never too late” and involves older people from Conway Education Centre, the Montague Centre and Forthspring Senior Group.

Participants will take part in a range of classes provided by the WEA as part of the Older People Learning project including art, craft, creative writing and ICT designed to help them present their reminiscence in an exhibition of memory boxes, paintings, short stories and poetry.

WEA Development Officer Carolyn Hale explains the importance of the project.  “Reminiscence can be an extremely beneficial activity for older people.  It is a great source of stimulation and social interaction and the benefits in terms of health and well-being are now widely recognised.  It is also important that memories of communities are preserved or they can be lost as they are passed down through generations and this project will bring the groups together to share their experiences.”

Everyone at the launch was also entertained by a performance of ‘The Bench’ which is a short play created by 30 older people through the Arts for Older People Network.

For further information on this project or the Older People Learning project contact Carolyn Hale or call (028) 9032 9718.